Community Development & Empowerment Organisation

Supporting people with HIV through better treatment and care while empowering communities with knowledge to prevent new infections.

In the Nyanga District of Manicaland Province, more than 1 in 10 of the populace is HIV+. While the majority of Zimbabweans with HIV are now enrolled on treatment regimes, those in rural areas and particularly affected by the economic collapse, are often unable to travel the long distances to collect their antiretroviral medication. Many are caring for orphaned and vulnerable children, leaving household budgets stretched and family nutrition poor.

Community Development & Empowerment Organisation (CDEO) is working across three rural wards in eastern Zimbabwe's Nyanga district to build resilience and sustainable health systems for HIV infected and affected households.

Their Egmont-supported project aims to improve treatment and care for people with HIV and raise awareness of HIV prevention in communities. This includes creating support groups for people with HIV, holding community workshops on sexual and reproductive health, and running temporary clinics in remote areas, offering HIV and STI testing along with prevention and treatment information.

The project also strengthens support for families affected by HIV & AIDS though the formation of family clubs where caregivers learn about support positive parenting, raising awareness on sexual and gender based violence, teenage pregenancy and early marriage through community workshops and supporting the work of community child protection committees.

Additionally, caregivers are supported to take part in training in chicken rearing, business management and savings groups, enabling them to increase their incomes and livelihoods.