Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (ZAPHA+) was established in Zanzibar as a national network for, by and with People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Zanzibar in the year 1994 and registered in 1996.
ZAPHA+ Community Children & Adolescent Clubs
i. Background:
Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (ZAPHA+) is a membership, non-governmental and nonprofit organization. Currently ZAPHA+’s individual membership count nearly 3,000 (70% female). Caring and supporting of children infected and affected by HIV and their families has been one of the major roles of ZAPHA+ since its inception.. Currently 851 children infected and affected by HIV have been enrolled in 11 clubs (one in each district). Out of 851 enrolled and supported children, 423 are living with HIV. Each club has a maximum of 30 mixed members (both girls and boys) aged 6 to 17 years divided into three streams of 6-9 years, 10 – 13 years and 14 – 17 years.
ii. Time of sessions
Children and adolescent clubs do meet on weekly basis on weekends; some of them do meet on Saturdays and others on Sundays. They normally take 2 – 4 hours when they meet depending on the topic they are discussing and other related activities.
iii. The clubs’ sessions content/topics covered
The children when attending clubs, they discuss a number of topics. Consideration is always taken into account on age appropriate during the children clubs sessions as per table below;
Main topics | Sub topics |
Age Appropriate | ||
6 –9yrs | 10 – 13yrs | 14 – 17yrs | ||
1. HIV/AIDS education |
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2. Sexual reproductive health education |
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3. Life skills |
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4. PSS | Counseling and guidance Plays and recreations | |||
The children when attending clubs, they discuss a number of topics. Consideration is always taken into account on age appropriate during the children clubs sessions as per table below;
IV.Achievements
Some notable achievements made:
- Quick recovery of children infected and affected by HIV
- Improving on treatment adherence among Children and Adolescent Living with HIV (CALHIV)
- Good performance and attendance in schools
- Wonderful representation and participation on issues related to child development –locally, nationally, regionally and globally
- Excellent advocates of child rights; participated in a number of anti-stigma meetings in schools
- Recognition by the community as agent of changes