Donor: Aidsfonds 

Overview

K2C is a pilot initiative aimed at supporting underserved children aged 5-14 living with HIV in Kitwe and Ndola through innovative, community-based approaches. The project focuses on identifying and enrolling children who are untested or not receiving care, addressing barriers such as limited healthcare access, stigma, and socio-economic challenges. Utilising community volunteers, teachers, and local partnerships, it provides testing, treatment, and support through both school-based and home-based interventions to enhance health outcomes for these children.

The project is implemented through the following three steps: 

• Identification and Treatment: The project emphasises early identification of children living with HIV through comprehensive testing strategies, ensuring they promptly initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) for optimal health and long-term well-being.
• Accessibility and Affordability: The initiative guarantees that child-friendly HIV treatments are accessible and affordable for all children and caregivers, promoting consistent adherence to treatment and improving health outcomes.
• Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT): Continuous treatment is provided to pregnant and lactating women living with HIV, preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring their children are born HIV-free and remain uninfected during infancy.

Objective

To create a supportive environment that combats stigma and improves healthcare access for children aged 5-14. 

Impact

• Trained 16 Community-based volunteers (CBVs) on HIV testing services.
• Conducted HIV testing services (HTS) to 428 children aged 5-14.
• Reached 921 pupils through school outreach programs to raise awareness of HIV stigma and discrimination.
• Reached 299 parents through community outreach and door-to-door sensitization to share information about the importance of knowing their children’s status.
• Conducted 18 home visits to children living with HIV.

Time frame: July 2024 – July 2025
Thematic area: Health and Wellbeing