Zimbabwe

Due to political insecurity, VSO is currently unable to manage an international volunteering program in Zimbabwe. However, we continue to work with partners in other ways to support efforts to address the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Zimbabwe has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, estimated at 15.3 per cent (UNAIDS, 2008). In January 2008, UNAIDS reported that HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe had fallen over the past five years. However, while education and publicity work to raise awareness of prevention methods have led to a decrease in the incidence of new infection, the number of orphans and people suffering from chronic illness due to HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe continues to escalate.

Raising awareness

VSO Zimbabwe focuses on supporting people living with HIV and AIDS through home-based care programs and through guidance relating to their treatment regime, which includes specific advice on their medical treatment as well as broader awareness raising about the need for suitable nutrition, community support initiatives and activity to tackle stigma. It also works with partners who offer support to orphans and vulnerable children.

Since September 2002, VSO Zimbabwe has worked with over 30 AIDS service agencies (ASOs) in a range of ways:

• Over 20 community-based organizations have received small grants from VSO to help fund their activities.

• Local colleagues have participated in a number of national workshops and international exchanges, learning tours and conferences.

• The implementation of training has improved individuals’ skills in areas such as awareness of treatment and counseling techniques, fundraising proposal writing and the development of public information resources.

VSO Zimbabwe is also developing a national volunteering program to encourage local people to volunteer in their communities. The program will focus broadly on volunteering promotion, capacity building of partners and a pilot professional volunteering initiative.

The majority of VSO’s partnerships are with small community-based organizations that work with, and for, people living with HIV and AIDS and orphans and other vulnerable children in both rural and urban areas.