HER VOICE PROJECT
The Celebrate Life Project, funded by ViiV Healthcare from August 2020 to July 2023 in Mozambique, has now concluded. The project addressed social, emotional, and mental health issues impacting children's well-being, including stigma, family dynamics, and economic vulnerability, which can hinder access to HIV services and support. REPSSI worked to mitigate these issues through psychosocial support, training health providers, and facilitating community dialogues, enhancing resilience and empowerment among children and their families, ultimately fostering a supportive environment for better health outcomes.
OUR PROGRAMMING
The Celebrate Life Project aimed to enhance access to HIV services for marginalized children aged 0-15 in Mozambique. The project's focus was on addressing social and institutional barriers, promoting parent-child disclosure, and reducing stigma within communities. Target beneficiaries included children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, parent caregivers, and health workers from Maputo and Sofala Province. The project’s objective was to empower families and communities to support HIV testing, treatment, and adherence, ultimately improving health outcomes for vulnerable children.
OUR PROGRAMMING
The Celebrate Life Project aimed to enhance access to HIV services for marginalized children aged 0-15 in Mozambique. The project's focus was on addressing social and institutional barriers, promoting parent-child disclosure, and reducing stigma within communities. Target beneficiaries included children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, parent caregivers, and health workers from Maputo and Sofala Province. The project’s objective was to empower families and communities to support HIV testing, treatment, and adherence, ultimately improving health outcomes for vulnerable children.
PROJECT APPROACH
The Celebrate Life Project employed a multifaceted approach to enhance access to HIV services for children in Mozambique. It engaged stakeholders, including community members and health providers, to identify barriers and improve service delivery. Training sessions were held for health providers in psychosocial support and humanized health services. The project implemented mental health and psychosocial support and peer networks, conducted community dialogues to reduce stigma, and promoted parental involvement through savings activities. This comprehensive strategy aimed to foster a supportive environment for affected children and families.
The capacity-building process in the Celebrate Life Project involved training health providers in psychosocial support, humanized health services, and sexual and reproductive health rights. REPSSI facilitated mentorship sessions for community-based volunteers, enhancing their skills to support marginalized children and families. This collaborative effort aimed to strengthen community resources, improve service delivery, and empower caregivers to better address the needs of those affected by HIV.
The Celebrate Life Project implemented targeted interventions for beneficiaries, focusing on children aged 0-15, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and caregivers. These included psychosocial support services to enhance mental well-being, peer support networks to foster community solidarity, and training for parents on effective care practices. Additionally, community dialogues were organized to address stigma and discrimination, while savings groups provided financial stability, promoting adherence to HIV treatment and improving overall health outcomes for affected families.
Advocacy for the Celebrate Life Project focused on raising awareness about the importance of accessible HIV services for marginalized children in Mozambique. It aimed to reduce stigma and discrimination through community dialogues and engagement, empowering families and stakeholders to support vulnerable populations and promote policy changes that enhance health services for affected individuals.
While implementing the Celebrate Life Project, we learned the importance of community engagement in addressing barriers to HIV services. Effective training for health providers significantly improved service delivery and attitudes. The integration of psychosocial support and peer networks enhanced resilience among beneficiaries. Additionally, community dialogues were crucial in reducing stigma, while financial literacy through savings groups promoted adherence to treatment and overall well-being for families affected by HIV. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders proved essential for sustainable impact.