3. HEALTH PROGRAMME (HP)

Objectives of the Programme
YPD’s objectives in this programme are to:

• To sensitize the youth on health issues.
• To train and capacity build the youth on several health issues facing them.

Description of the Programme
The youth are the most affected by health issues and bear the burden of health
diseases. The issues the programme focuses on are HIVAIDS awareness, sexual & reproductive health sensitization, family planning awareness, STIs awareness, nutrition awareness, drug and substance abuse prevention etc. The youth are sexually active hence are affected by HIV/AIDS and STIs. Also due to stress and peer pressure they indulge into drug and substance abuse hence we are loosing the future of the nation.

The programme focuses on information sharing, capacity building and training on several areas of interest aimed at achieving a wealthy and healthy nation. The main targets groups are women groups, CBOs, youth groups, PLWHAS, disability groups, men, professional groups, NGO networks etc.

Activities

1. HIV/AIDS Awareness
2. Sexual & Reproductive Health Sensitization
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Awareness
4. Nutrition Awareness
5. Drug And Substance Abuse Prevention

1. HIV/AIDS Awareness

• Participatory Education Theatre (PET)

Description
YPD has established and maintained 53 youth groups consisting of members in and out of school. These groups participate in peer group discussions, PET forums that use artistic performances e.g. skits, team building, ball games, songs, drama and poetry in communicating HIV/AIDS prevention and behavior change messages. Besides entertainment performances in which informational and educational performances such as dances, beauty contests and cultural shows aimed at developing talents and skills among the youths are organized.

Objectives
The objective of this is activity is to provide a forum in which youths participate and be sensitized on the need for HIV prevention and sexual behavior change through skits, songs and poems.

Achievements
YPD has managed to reach about 10,000 youths through Skits/Participatory Educative Theater (PET) and groups’ discussions since May 2010 to February 2011 and sensitized them on HIV and AIDS prevention and Behavior Change.

b) Youth Sports Tournaments (YST)

Description
YPD organizes Youth Sports tournaments (YSTs) in Machakos, Mbooni East and Kibwezi districts. During the YSTs 53 youth groups participate in ballgames (football and volleyball). The organization uses these Youth forums to sensitize them on HIV prevention and the need for sexual behavior change. YPD hires experienced and qualified facilitators to train the youths and other community members who attend these events. The winning teams, 1st runners-up and 2nd runners-up are given cash awards based on the condition that the money will be used to start or support an on-going project.

 

Objectives
The objective of this activity is to provide a forum in which youths participate and be sensitized on the need for HIV prevention and sexual behavior through friendly youth sports tournaments.

Achievements
YPD has managed to organize over 10 youth sports tournaments in Machakos, Mbooni East and Kibwezi districts reaching out to about 3,000 youths.

• Establishment of Youth Resource Centers (YRCs)

Description
The Youth Resource Centers were established under the youth to youth activities Service Delivery Area (SDA) funded by Global Fund Round 7- Jichanue Prevention Project. 

Objectives
The YRCs have been established to be a full information one stop shop were the youths meet and freely access information, share and gain knowledge, and information particularly on HIV and AIDS, drugs use and drug abuse, sexual reproductive health and other issues affecting them. HIV/AIDS prevention is emphasized.     
YPD has established 8 Youth Resource Centers in three districts as outlined below.

District	Location
Mbooni East	Kalawa Market
	Kyangondu Market
Machakos	Mavivye Marke
	Corner Market
	Kimutwa Market
	Miwani-Machakos Town
Kibwezi	Kasayani Market
	Machinery Market

 

Achievements

• Youths are freely accessing and sharing information from the internet and from books, posters, fliers, magazines, and pamphlets in the resource centers. YRCs are serving on average 30 youths a day. To date the YRCs have served more than 200 youths since January 2011.
• Onsite trainings of the youths were conducted in the YRCs youth volunteers and FBOs.
• An information desk was provided at the YRCs where data collection, analysis and reporting will be consolidated from various sources in the community. 
• The centers are equipped with computers for ICT learning and internet for access to information.

2. Sexual & Reproductive Health Sensitization- This entails the sensitization of SRH methods for family planning, population and development issues.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Awareness- This focuses on information sharing on the several diseases conducted through sex.
4. Nutrition Awareness- This is information sharing on better health and living standards through several eating habits and a balanced diet.
5. Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention-This covers mitigation on several drugs abused and their effects on human health.

 

Achievements of the Programme

• Stigma level in the community on PLWHAS has reduced significantly.
• PLWHAS and care givers have been sensitized on ART and positive living among others issues that affect them.
• Friendly Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) have been established to provide information to the youth.
• HIV/AIDS Awareness among the youth has increased tremendously to over 3,000 youth in Machakos and Makueni counties in the last 9 years (2008-2016)
• Conducted several SRH and drugs abuse meetings and workshops for the youth in school and out of school reaching over 2,000 in the last 9 years (2008-2016).
• Partnered with scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) to reach out to budget advocacy ion Nutrition with the Machakos County Assembly, 8 sub county budget meetings and 2 stakeholder workshops in 2015-2016.
• Conducted HIV/AIDS awareness among the major markets centers along the Konza-Machakos-Tala Road in 2017.
• Conducted survey and awareness forums on mental health with support of African Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) at Machakos and Makueni Counties in 2013-2014.

NACC TOWA PROJECT
Implemented the NACC TOWA HIV/AIDS project among the youth in 2012-2013

Support to Vukka Arts Kenya
Supported Vukka Arts Kenya, the leading youth entertainment group in Lower Eastern and the winner of APHIA plus GATE festival

Support to Scotlanders Football Club
Supported Scotlanders Football Club, the best football club in Machakos County

Partners

• Global Fund on HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) through CARE Kenya
• APHIA Plus Kamili
• Ministry of Health (MOH)
• African Mental Health Foundation (AMREF)
• Health NGOs Network (HENNET)
• Liverpool VCT
• National AIDS Control Council (NACC)
• National Council on Population and Development (NCPD)

Potential Partners
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Elizabeth Glaizer HIV/AIDS Foundation (EGHAF) African Medical Research Health Foundation (AMREF) etc