EDZI TOTO - Say no to Aids

HIV/AIDS prevention for youth in Malawi

Case Study

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Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, situated in the south-east bordering Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania. The incidence of HIV/AIDS throughout Malawi is very high and, for 15 to 49 year-olds, it is the single largest cause of death. Approximately 13 per cent of adults (aged 15 to 49) and 1.4 per cent of children (aged 0-14) are HIV positive. It is estimated that at least 350,000 children will be orphaned by the year 2010 from AIDS-related causes.

The high incidence of HIV/AIDS throughout Malawi prompted UNICEF Australia and the Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), to introduce the "Going to Scale" pilot program in 1993.

Originally, the project concentrated on the district of Lilongwe but through increased funding the project has been extended throughout Malawi.

"Going to Scale" aims to change youths' high risk behaviour through education about HIV/AIDS, enable them to understand the extent of the country's AIDS problem, and evaluate their own personal risk. Through education and the provision of information to young people, both in and out of school, the project aims to equip Malawian youth with the knowledge necessary to reduce the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

To be successful in such an endeavour requires the support of the whole community. For this reason, "Going to Scale" also targets parents, teachers and highly regarded community representatives.

There are several activities within the project including the development of in-school life skills education, support for extra-curricula anti-AIDS clubs, the development of youth reproductive health services, and continuing research and evaluation. Anti-AIDS clubs are formed in primary and secondary schools in all districts providing training and orientation for teachers and peer education training for secondary school club members.

During a recent monitoring trip to Malawi, Simon Stroud, projects officer for UNICEF Australia, visited many schools and anti-AIDS youth clubs meeting children whose lives have been dramatically affected by the high incidence of the disease. Innocent Mtula was one of them.

Innocent Mtula, is a 15 year-old student at St Michael's School in the city of Zomba and a member of one of the many anti-AIDS clubs throughout the country. Innocent and others involved in support and education groups are encouraged to write and perform poems, plays and songs designed to educate a variety of young people about the impact of AIDS on communities, families and individuals. Innocent composed a poem offering support and calling for compassion for those affected by the disease. He writes...

AIDS is not the plural of help
AIDS is not a dream
which goes away when one wakes up.
AIDS is the beautiful name of an ugly disease.
Yet I thought it was a dream
AIDS means opening afar
the bodies' gates against infections;
And all manner of disease
come in to stay and to destroy.
And I know it.
The pain is greater and deeper.
Because I know that AIDS helps me only to die.
The pain is deeper still when friends avoid me.
Not looking at me straight in the eye.
and I know why.
I have only one cry for friends and relatives
Look not at me with eyes full of fear,
It's worse to look at me with eyes of sympathy
But treat me with a handshake and a smile.
And I need it.

Another Malawi anti-AIDS youth group in Ndalama village performs songs to fellow villagers warning about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Group members wear T-shirts emblazoned with the anti HIV/AIDS slogan EDZI TOTO - meaning "Say no to AIDS".

Some of the tangible results from "Going to Scale" include increased demand and use of youth reproductive health services, condoms, contraceptives and counselling. The number of community members joining the Edzi Toto clubs, youth centres and life skills courses has also increased since the program's inception.