The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare in Goromonzi
OVER 46 000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) living with and affected by HIV/AIDS are benefitting from empowerment programmes implemented by the Mavambo Trust Orphan Care.
Mavambo Trust has partnered with various Government ministries under the Mavambo Orphan Care-Vana Activity.
Mavambo Orphan Care-Vana Activity is a five-year project funded under the PEPFAR programme, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which supports prevention, care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children.
The main thrust of the project is to revitalise communities and facilitate linkages, so that people living and affected by HIV become healthy, stable, safe and schooled.
In its implementation, Mavambo is also supporting OVC caregivers.
The programme further engages pregnant and lactating mothers living with HIV to prevent mother-to-child virus transmission.
During a media tour last week, Goromonzi district development coordinator Ms Prisca Dube said the Government appreciates its long-standing relationship with PEPFAR.
She said the relationship has transformed lives in Goromonzi and other surrounding areas.
“We appreciate the help extended to a total of 46 365 OVCs living with HIV or who are under the care of HIV-positive parents,” she said.
“The cordial relationship we have has been a formidable partnership since 2003, as we reach out to vulnerable children and families.”
Mavambo Trust Orphan Care technical director Ms Beaula Ruparanganda said:
“As you are aware, about 60 percent of children living with HIV know their status.
“So, we are working with the Government to ensure that we reach the 95-95-95 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goal.
“That means 95 percent of the people who are living with HIV know their HIV status, 95 percent of the people who know that they are living with HIV being on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of people who are on treatment being virally suppressed.
“We are coming in as a community partner to support the children and caregivers to identify undiagnosed children, referring them to the facility for testing and for those that test positive, we continue to support them through comprehensive services such that they adhere to treatment.”
She added that the partnership with the Government had introduced interventions like positive parenting, gender-based violence prevention and response, as well as mental health interventions.
These are meant to ensure that children and other vulnerable people live in a safe and secure environment.
Children are also getting training on income-generating projects of their choice, as a way to wean them from donor dependence syndrome and train them to be entrepreneurs.
After completing their training, youths from Harare and Goromonzi have received start-up kits for various trades to empower them.
The start-up kits are meant to empower the youths in hairdressing, dressmaking, motor mechanics, carpentry, baking and catering, welding, baking and décor, interior décor, shoe making, information technology, panel beating, and auto electronics.
A beneficiary of the programme Mr Obadiah Matiyenga (19) of Tama Village in Goromonzi, said:
“After dropping out of school when my single mother could not get me money for school, I thought life was going to be hard.
“But, after having been identified and enrolled in this programme, I am now economically empowered.
“I can look after my mother through welding.”
He received a full kit for welding, with his enterprise now running.
Ms Linda Chigondo (20) from Chibvuti Village, Domboshava is also into welding.
She said her life has been transformed for the better.
“I no longer need to ask anyone to buy me sanitary wear.
“I managed to get my financial independence, and my dream is to support my parents in whatever they need,” said Ms Chigondo.
