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Educating and Empowering Vulnerable PopulationsTo have a significant impact on reducing transmission of HIV among vulnerable populations and delay the spread of HIV to the general population, CAPACITY has been promoting among all stakeholders the need to target populations most likely to be exposed to HIV, primarily IDUs, sex workers, and vulnerable youth with highly effective, essential comprehensive packages of HIV preventive services. In addition, and most importantly, it is necessary to implement these packages to achieve at least 60% coverage. The CAPACITY Project participated in several meetings and forums, including 3rd NGO Forum and Meeting with National Association of Organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS. The CAPACITY Project met with representatives of UNICEF to discuss issues of possible cooperation in SKO and with RAC Epidemiological Department to advocate 60 Plus Strategy. Development of Preventive models To demonstrate achievements of 60% coverage, the Project developed 7 models to implement among IDUs and SW in four countries. Two models on HIV prevention among IDUs with 60% coverage of essential comprehensive package of service were developed in two pilots of Kazakhstan – in Aksu, Pavlodar oblast, NGO “Zhardem” and in Almaty, City AIDS Center. On the basis of these models two project proposals were prepared and then applied to CAAP first round in August, 2006 combined into one regional project embracing 4 countries. The projects got approval and at the present moment the preparation process for their realization has started. Mobilization of Civil Society The project designed the Civil Society Mobilization Strategy. In the frame of the strategy CAPACITY is providing training to and capacity building among governmental and non-governmental AIDS service organizations (ASO) to enable them to implement prevention packages on a broad geographic scale to achieve necessary coverage. NGOs and governmental AIDS service organizations have been involved in skills-building activities in project design and proposal development. CAPACITY plans further activities focusing on program and financial management. In the frame of strategy realization 8 oblasts of Kazakhstan were selected: Almaty city and Almaty oblast, Zhambyl oblast, South-Kazakhstan oblast, Akmola, Atyrau, West-Kazakhstan and Aktobe oblast. Under the support of RAC one-day meetings with AIDS service NGO representatives and representatives of Oblast AIDS Centers were conducted. As a result of these meetings the most prepared NGOs were selected as “umbrellas” to implement civil society mobilization activity aiming at the scaling up coverage of vulnerable population with prevention programs. 18 representatives of umbrella NGOs took part at the regional workshop on project proposals designing in June, 2006. As a result of the CSM strategy in Kazakhstan: 9 umbrella NGOs were created, 4 TWG were formed, and 100 participants were trained on oblast level and 18 on regional workshop; and 34 individual and 8 combined proposals were developed. Besides these important achievements, in the frame of CSM activities governmental and non-governmental organization applied with proposals to ADB and CAAP (ADB – 4 proposals, CAAP- 6). Behavior change communication and social marketing of condoms (distribution and ensuring access to high quality and not expensive condoms) for vulnerable population. Since availability of condoms is one of the important instruments of HIV prevention, CAPACITY implements social marketing of condoms. This component is being implemented by PSI - non-profit organization, one of the Project’s implementing partners. The main goal of the component is to establish new model of healthy behavior for risk groups through local youth prevention activities, specifically on averting drug use, being faithful, abstinence, safe sex and high access to condoms. Interventions with Sex Workers (SW) Trainings and mini-sessions for SW are being conducted on the topics of “HIV and AIDS”, “STIs”, “Responsible behavior”, “Condoms use”, “Communication skills”. Increasing access to “Favorite” condoms and distribution of brochures on “HIV and AIDS”, “Condom is my protection”, “Evaluate your risk” was done. In the frame of this component the following activities were implemented: activities with SWs participation, dedicated to the Worl AIDS Day, Trainings for Trainers (TOT) and referral system on Voluntary Counseling and Testing. Interventions with Vulnerable Youth The official opening ceremony of the CAPACITY Youth Power Center was in March, 2006. CAPACITY Youth Power Center conducts education trainings, mini-sessions for vulnerable youth representatives. The main themes of trainings: HIV/AIDS, STI, personal risk assessment, prevention modes and use of condoms, link between HIV/AIDS and injection drug usage, access to free VCT and STI treatment. CAPACITY Youth Power Center suggests Lessons of English and Kazakh Languages and has some other alternative activities – Bingo, guitar club, computer club, brake dance club and others. Representatives of vulnerable youth participate at the CAPACITY Youth Power Center programs – in the streets, parks, discos with the aim of HIV/AIDS awareness, personal risk assesemnt, prevention ways and condom use, treatment availability and social support. They are distributed free condoms and HIV/AIDS and personal risk brochures. Non-CYPC interventions with Vulnerable Youth. Almaty: Almalinski, Jetysuiski, Turksibski districts PSI conducts trainings, mini-sessions, HIV/AIDS/STI activities for representatives of vulnerable youth of these districts and distributes free condoms, disseminate HIV/AIDS, personal risk, VCT and STI brochures. PSI closely collaborate with NGO Saur Pak in Karaganda, “Zhambyl Zhastary” in Taraz, NGO “Istok” in Semey. Vulnerable youth participate in various prevention activities in three cities: trainings, mini-sessions and events. |
BulletinPartnerswww.rcaids.kz www.ncc.tj www.afew.org www.caap.info www.cdc.gov www.ddrprogram.org www.theglobalfund.org www.projecthope.org www.soros.org www.undp.org www.unicef.org www.unodc.org www.usaid.gov www.euro.who.int www.zplus.kz |
© 2008 Capacity Project
