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By Godfrey Olukya 29-1-2013
As Zimbabwe fights on reducing on HIV-AIDs prevalence amongst the youth, United States of America has come out to assist with funds to be used in sensitizing and treating them.
Officials in Zimbabwe have said that the funds which have started flowing in from USA will be used in fighting against HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination.
‘It is good that we have started to get funds from USA.’ said Francis Chilwa, a director of a youths NGO. ‘There is need to educate our youths on how to fight against the scourge.’
USA’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bruce Wharton has awarded a 5000 USA dollars grant to Africaid on behalf of the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Africaid is a youth-focused organization through which outreach will be expanded..
Wharton said, ‘There is need to fight against HIV-AIDs stigima. Stigma and discrimination continue to prevent some people from accessing readily available HIV and AIDS support services. Especially among the large, important youth population, there are gaps in knowledge and great stigma to overcome.’
Africaid was named the winner of the 2012 Auxillia Chimusoro HIV and AIDS Alumni Award ceremony held in Harare last Thursday. The ceremony was attended by senior government officials including Honorable Henry Madzorera, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, who delivered remarks about the strong U.S.-Zimbabwe partnership in addressing HIV/AIDS issues, as well as AIDS service organizations, and international organizations.
Africaid director Nicola Willis said her organization, which works with HIV positive youth, will use the grant to support a musical DVD production by HIV positive children and adolescents, supported by national artists.
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