Positive Change Through Positive Living
Empowering People Living with HIV: the “Positive Change through Positive Living” project
This DFID funded project aims to empower and improve the quality and length of life of PLHIV through building their capacity to advocate for their rights.
- Our partner, the National Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPHAM) works towards increasing the voice and influence of people living positively on HIV&AIDS policies, by training them on advocacy, supporting outreach workers to defend their rights locally, and helping to protect individual members and their dependants.
- Various activities tackling stigma and discrimination are also conducted by HIV positive people at local level, for example NAPHAM Sport Day which allows the group members and the community to participate jointly in sport activities, sensitisation activities targeting community leaders in communities where People living with HIV are highly stigmatised and the production and airing of radio and TV documentaries on issues encountered by PLHIV for the wider public.
- The project focuses on increasing access to ARVs, nutritional supplements and other health services for HIV positive people. Members of NAPHAM are supported with transport to ARVs and CD4 count sites, and at the same time local advocacy for mobile clinics or ART clinics at district level is conducted, especially through the use of the Civil Society Monitoring (CSM) approaches.
- Nutrition is also a key aspect of positive living that is why this project has established Community Demonstration Gardens in the three regions for replication in each support group. They offer a sustainable source of income to support transport fees to clinics, and also provide nutritious foods adapted to PLHIV. NAPHAM also provides livelihood support to ten support groups through this project, with income generating activities and vocational training.
National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi (NAPHAM) NAPHAM is a national membership organisation run by and for people living with HIV/AIDS and operating in all three regions of Malawi. It provides self-help and mutual support to ‘positive living’ (action to reduce discrimination, stigma and denial), and promotes the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. Many NAPHAM members take on advocacy to promote and support the interests of people living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi, and their activities also include a drama troupe, providing street theatre in the community which addresses traditions and taboos around HIV/AIDS. NAPHAM also run income-generating initiatives to cover the costs of basic support for people living with HIV/AIDS, including access to services, advice, treatment and care for affected individuals and their families