Vida Positiva

Vida Positiva's primary strategy is training. All concepts and skills are adapted to the local language of each community. Currently in the pilot phase, 460 trainees across the country have been enabled to train 6 others from their own institutions or communities. Focal groups participating in this effort include government ministries (including, but not limited to, teachers, nurses, police, and agricultural extension workers), private sector, churches, NGO's (local and national, medical and non-medical), and traditional healers. A core group of individuals from these focal groups, hailing from each province, are trained in the key skills and knowledge required to implement and facilitate the community empowerment process. They then replicate this process locally (to date, this process has reached approximately 2,500 people). All delivery is evaluated and assessed for quality and accuracy.

Specialised trainings and workshops are held for those who cannot attend the main training. The objective is to identify the needs of these specific groups. For example, help is provided in setting up support structures in areas where HIV test clinics exist, or in teaching financially feasible home-based care methods or general and immune-specific nutrition to HIV-positive women.

The second half of the training began in February 2003, and involves modules on creating support structures (e.g., home-based care). Those who successfully complete this training will be officially certified by the Ministry of Education. This 14-month training process will be repeated for additional groups of trainees in a process that will begin in April 2003. Specific 'tracks' have been created for various participants, like those working in government ministries or in religious organisations, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The latter group will be trained, specifically, to launch a national 'Faces' group of 60 HIV-positive people from all provinces, who will be guided in presenting knowledge and skills to the general public and media.

In the initial pilot stage, trainings were conducted by the Primary Trainers. However, the mid-training evaluation and assessment of delivery process has identified 25 people who are already delivering trainings and workshops on a national basis, as well as representing the programme on national television and radio. By June 2003 this capacity will include the other modules, and a group of trainers will work with other groups across Mozambique. Provincial Co-ordinators work to coordinate activities and delivery within each province.

The programme message is communicated via radio, TV, and print. Numerous workshops/working groups with all forms of media will be held in 2003 to explore their role in putting forth messages that are not fear-based but, rather, are motivating in a positive way. Several of the country's leading newspapers have already started working with Vida Positiva, as has Radio Mozambique, national and regional stations, and TVM. To cite one example, Vida Positiva is working closely with the Ministry of Education and will use their network and distribution to deliver print media to educators and students. To create a context for the books/information, organisers will work with the educators, who in turn will pass the books and information along to the students. Trainers will work with and build capacity in the targeted communities.

HIV/AIDS, Gender, Economic Development, Community Participation and Empowerment.

In August, 2002, the programme moved to its own premises apart from CNCS, though it still answers to the Assessor in CNCS.

Programme organisers claim that the capacity of people to empathise with those infected with HIV is minimal because of the level of stigma and the current health infrastructure, which reaches 40% of the total population.

The programme was presented to the Head of State, Council of Ministers and all Provincial Governors in April 2002 and received full endorsement.

Vida Positiva is funded by the Common Fund to Fight HIV & AIDS and donor agencies.