Fighting HIV stigma and discrimination in Schools The MU-JHU YGA SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM Namanya M Paul

Introduction YGA has a number of school going children & adolescents. One of the major challenges they face is stigmatization when their teachers and classmates learn of their HIV status. This has negative impact on their adherence to medication and their academic performance. In some cases , the children have had to change schools and others dropout because of stigma and discrimination. Thus the YGA school outreach program

Objective The objective is to provide information to the school community about HIV, its transmission, prevention, management opportunities, stigma and how best to support children living with HIV.

Method YGA and MUJHU team of counselors, youth coordinators, play therapist, and a doctor, visit schools where the children in the MUJHU care program study The team always divides itself and take on various topics such as; HIV knowledge Ways of transmission Ways of prevention Myths and misconception Pointers on stigma and discrimination After the session we answer questions that the students might have and provide the school with a CD of frequently asked questions for further reference.

RESULTS There are reduced cases of stigma and discrimination among the school going members of YGA this is evidenced by the positive feedback they bring back in monthly meetings. Over the years schools have shown an increased interest in the program, thus keep on calling us back for return visit to there schools and this shows that the program has been very effective in schools. Basing on the positive feedback , the program has also been extended to other schools and has been welcomed

Challenges The program is faced with limited resource funding to facilitate the team Cooperation from religious based schools Packing of HIV messages for the different faith based schools Balancing between the schools demand for HIV testing and focus of YGA.

Conclusion Reaching out to the school communities has gone a long way in fighting HIV stigma and discrimination. Young people living with HIV can be meaning fully engaged in the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination by being the champions in sensitizing schools and communities about HIV. HIV stigma and discrimination can be fought using multifaceted approaches including but not limited to school outreaches. Fighting HIV stigma and discrimination requires a concreted effort and buy in from school heads especially those that are religious based.

Acknowledgements Schools were we have been welcomed to conduct outreaches Adolescents & Children of Young Generation Alive MUJHU staff & Management Care givers Funders – Stephen Lewis Foundation SAHU

Thank you……Any Questions?