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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme in Namibia

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The HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme is a collaborative programme partnered with volunteers from the US Peace Corps, using funds from USAID distributed through Family Health International to train out-of-school youth as outreach health educators. The project also creates employment opportunities for youth by providing HIV/AIDS education services to private companies in the area for a fee. The aim is to develop and implement strategies to decrease the rate of HIV infection in Walvis Bay, Namibia and to increase the level of care and support for those community members who are already infected.
Communication Strategies

The programme provides income generation opportunities to people living with HIV/AIDS - especially young people who are out of school - by training them, and then paying them as speakers. It supports the HIV/AIDS programmes of 17 companies, which reach over 6000 workers.

The Workplace Programme services include:

  • Reviewing the company's HIV/AIDS policy and referring the company for any necessary policy development
  • Providing all employees with basic HIV/AIDS education through 4-hour awareness sessions
  • Training selected employees as peer educators and then supporting their efforts to provide ongoing HIV/AIDS education through monthly meetings, provision of technical assistance, and refresher trainings
  • Consulting on the provision of, or referral for, condom distribution and prompt diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections.
Development Issues

HIV/AIDS, Youth, Health, Economic Development.

Key Points

Organisers hope to develop strong HIV/AIDS programmes that will help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and increase the care and support for those already infected.

Partners

US Peace Corps, USAID, and Family Health International

Sources

Email sent from Teresa Peterson to Soul Beat Africa on July 12 2004.