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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Thank you……Any Questions?