1. This document provides a summary report of Family AIDS Caring Trust's (FACT) project to strengthen HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for youth in Zimbabwe through approaches like Join-in Circuits (JIC) and Sista2Sista girls' clubs. 2. The JIC methodology uses games and discussions to provide over 4,500 youth with SRH information. Post-tests found most youth gained knowledge, and over 750 youth accessed voluntary HIV testing services. Sista2Sista clubs established safe spaces for over 2,800 girls to discuss issues like gender-based violence and distributed sanitary products. 3. FACT is making progress in engaging at-risk youth in rural

1. Family AIDS Caring
Trust
Project Title: Strengthening HIV & SRHR Service
Uptake by Youths in Zimbabwe
Project
Reference #: IMP 129
Project
Operational
Areas:
Manicaland & Mashonaland West
Provinces in Zimbabwe
Target Group: Young people aged 10 - 24
Contact Person: Gertrude Shumba
Executive Director
gshumba@fact.org.zw or
gertieshumba@yahoo.com
Tel:+263 20 66015/61648 or
+263772514406

2. 1 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
1. Introduction
This summary report is aimed at updating and sharing progress FACT has made in the
implementation of the Sexual Reproductive Health programme for young people aged 10 –
24 years in five rural districts of Zimbabwe. Implementation of the project has been
intensified in this second year after the inception activities which included setting up of
structures and systems for its smooth roll out. The report clearly shows how two of the
three approaches adopted in the project which are Join-in circuit (JIC), Sista2Sista Girls only
clubs are being used to mobilise young people for access to SRH information and services in
their local communities.
2. Young People Motivated to Participate in Sexual Reproductive Health
(SRH)
Adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe are a unique
group that is not easily dragged into discussion of sensitive
issues including HIV and STIs. FACT has made strides and
penetrated into this group with the use of the JIC
methodology https://youtu.be/cJ8pzxDL8io
About FACT
A pioneer and leader in HIV response in Zimbabwe, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) was founded in
1987. It is a leading registered national HIV and development organisation directly implementing
interventions across the country as well as through sub-granting agreements with local partners. FACT
programming focuses on HIV prevention, care and treatment, Health, protection of Orphans and
vulnerable children, and livelihoods thematic areas. We have been in existence since 1987 and
since our formation close to 30 years ago, we have made enormous contributions to national and
regional response to HIV and AIDS through direct service provision to local communities. We have
significantly contributed to the body of knowledge through important WHO commissioned researches
such as the Eliminating Paediatric AIDS in Zimbabwe whose preliminary findings were shared at the
global ICASA conference in Harare in December 2015. We have been instrumental in formation and
capacity building of Community Based Organisations (CBOs). Regionally, across Eastern and Southern
Africa, FACT has over the years of its existence supported more than forty CBOS in over 15
countries to build sustainable programs, finances, and human resources base. For more details follow
the link http://www.fact.org.zw
JIC as a peer to peer
Behaviour Change
Communication tool
combining games,
pictorial aids, role plays,
discussions and
demonstrations to
promote dialogue about
HIV and other SRH topics
and creates demand for
services.

3. 2 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
Graph below presents the total number of young people reached in and out of school with
JIC in the reporting period:-
Out of school JIC session
In school JIC session
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Males
Females
Total
Target
2335
2218
4553
3125
Number Reached
Access to information through JIC

4. 3 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
Participants at various stations during JIC run
Pre and post test is administered to assess the SRH knowledge of participants. On average
from the runs conducted and the sample that wrote the pre and post tests knowledge level
after the JIC runs was at 87%. Generally, young people have the information but are not
sharing because of lack of such platforms to do so.
JIC participants SRH knowledge assessed through pre and post test
Complimentary to SRH information is the provision of voluntary HIV Testing Services (HTS)
during JIC runs. Young people have accessed the service without having to incur costs. It is
just after receiving information and one is made to make an informed decision regarding
their health. Access to the service has been made voluntary as is guided by the national
policy.

5. 4 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
Number Of Young People Who Accessed HTS During JIC Run
Young people access HIV testing services during a JIC run
In the sites where the service was provided, it was observed that young people are very
much willing to be tested. Of interest is the low positivity rate among the target group.
Referral of those who tested positive was done to their local health facilities for access to
services.
3. Girls and Women a Special Population
Increased vulnerability of women and girls has made them become more susceptible to HIV
and STI. The girl child has been characterised by school dropout, early marriages and being
victims of Gender based violence. Sista2Sista approach has helped mobilise young women
and girls in their local communities and established girls only clubs where they come
together to discuss and pursue activities in building social awareness, increasing social
aptitude and improving sexual knowledge. The intervention is targeted at developing more
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Males Females Total Target
372 384
756
1821.2
NumberReached
Access to HTS
17% of the
young people
who were
reached through
JIC managed to
access HTS and
got their results
Positivity rate
amongst the young
people tested was at
0.4%

6. 5 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
responsible and assertive girls, who delay sexual debut, proceed with education and access
sexual and reproductive health services.
Sista2Sista Clubs Established to Date
Girls Enrolled In S2S Clubs to Date
Establishment of girls clubs is still ongoing in some locations. Girls are benefitting from the
sessions resulting in them opening up on emotional and physical abuse that is happening to
them. Referrals are being made for relevant assistance including services. Sanitary wear is
provided to girls with need who are enrolled in the clubs. This has helped them to manage a
stressful situation every woman goes through on a monthly basis.
123
135
S2S Clubs
S2S Girls Clubs Total
S2S Girls Clubs Target
2834
3375
S2S Girls Enrolled
S2S Girls Clubs Total
S2S Girls Clubs Target

7. 6 FACT IATI PUBLICATION NUMBER 2
Sista2sista club members during sessions
4. Conclusion
FACT acknowledges the support from DFID which is impacting positively on the lives of
vulnerable adolescents and young people in rural Zimbabwe.
Upcoming
Establishment
of Youth
Friendly Corners
Support groups
for Adolescents
and young people
living with HIV