Community champions, change agents and positive male role models trained in HIV prevention

Community champions, change agents and positive male role models trained in HIV prevention

Sport In Action places importance in strengthening community structures in the implementation of programs/projects. With these structures come key people of influence in respective localities. It is this reason that SIA on the USAID funded Zambia Community HIV Prevention Project (Z-CHPP) trained individuals to be champions, change agents and positive male role models in HIV prevention in their communities. These individuals are persons that are highly esteemed in their communities and therefore command a following. The identified and trained individuals in HIV prevention especially among priority populations are from different backgrounds that include public office workers, traditional leadership and media personnel. The individuals of both sexes trained were from Chibombo and Mumbwa districts.

The team of champions, change agents and positive male role models trained was a well-selected group with a commitment to serve their communities at 100% on a voluntary basis. The attitude to serve on voluntarily basis with the Z-CHPP goal of contributing to the reduction in new HIV infections in Zambia is encouraging for SIA. In Mumbwa district, preparations are already underway to have a free spot on the radio for discussion of HIV infection, prevention and positive living.

The above is a great milestone for SIA to achieve as it is a sustainable approach to community-led HIV prevention and therefore contributing to the reduction in new HIV infections by encouraging testing and ART adherence if found HIV positive even beyond the project lifespan.

SIA, therefore, thanks the Republican government of Zambia, United States Government, USAID, PEPFAR, Pact, Plan and volunteers including the trained champions, change agents and positive male role models in fighting HIV/AIDS with the goal of reducing new HIV infections. With the newly trained cadre of champions in HIV prevention, we are saying “the fight is upon us but it’s a battle we are ready to win”.