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Family Health International |
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U. S. Government Awards Grants for HIV Prevention in Tanzania -- August 31, 2005 |
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Iringa, Tanzania — The United States (U.S.) Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Family Health International (FHI), has awarded more than U.S. $800,000 in grants to support efforts to prevent HIV among youth in Dar es Salaam and Iringa Regions. FHI has been working to prevent HIV/AIDS and promote improved reproductive health among young people in Tanzania since 2003, under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Tanzania, President's Office, Planning and Privatization, and through the USAID funded YouthNet project. The awards were given to four non-governmental organizations that successfully competed in YouthNet's Competitive Grants Program. Checks for the grants were presented by the USAID/Tanzania Mission director at an awards ceremony held at Iringa Municipal Gardens on 4 August 2005. The award recipients and descriptions of their projects are: Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Network (AFNET), Dodoma. This project will promote abstinence and faithfulness to one HIV tested partner and reduction in risky sexual behavior among youth in Iringa and Kilolo Districts. AFNET intends to build the skills of over 25,000 youth in 12 wards in Iringa and Kilolo Districts to enable them to practice abstinence and faithfulness (for older youth). The project will also train parents in HIV prevention and reproductive health communication skills for youth. Finally, the project aims to increase the number of youth undertaking voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS. Community Concerns of Orphans and Development Association (COCODA), Njombe. This project aims to reduce the risk of HIV infection among young people ages 10 to 24 in Njombe and Ludewa districts, Iringa Region. It will raise awareness among key individuals and groups at the district and community levels of the sexual and reproductive health risks facing young people. The project will build broad-based support for age-appropriate interventions to reduce risky behaviour among youth and use peer education to provide this information to young people on how to avoid HIV/AIDS and improve their reproductive health. National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA), Dar es Salaam. This project will build the capacity of Muslim religious leaders, school teachers, and parents to prevent HIV/AIDS among Muslim youth in Dar es Salaam and Iringa Regions. BAKWATA's project will increase awareness among Muslim religious leaders of HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health for youth; improve the knowledge and skills of teachers (madrasat, primary, and secondary schools) in Iringa and Dar es Salaam; and sensitize parents to the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health knowledge and values for their children. Support Makete to Self Support (SUMASESU), Makete. This project will reduce vulnerability of youth aged 10 to 24 to HIV/AIDS and reproductive health issues through improved capacity of community members in Makete to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS among their youth; improved dialogue on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health among young people; and by equipping youth with knowledge and skills to avoid HIV/AIDS and promote their reproductive health. Four other smaller grants were also awarded to non-governmental organizations at this event. Contact: Family Health International is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national governments and local communities in countries throughout the developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the effectiveness of entire health systems. For more information, please contact media@fhi.org. |
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