GAIA’s Youth Programs Score!
To kick off the season of thanksgiving, we want to celebrate the impact we are having together, providing health education and preventing HIV infections among youth through the power of sports and clubs. In Malawi, more than 1/3 of new HIV infections occur in youth due to low condom use, sexual violence, transactional sex and early marriage.
Our youth-focused programs use the power of soccer, games and song, as well as girls camps and clubs, to increase awareness and agency around HIV, malaria and sexual and reproductive health. At a recent GAIA event, more than 1,000 young people attended to watch a soccer match, participate in educational games and get tested for HIV. Because of your support, these programs are preventing HIV and increasing uptake of testing and health services among youth, a key to ending the epidemic for good.
Thank you for joining us this holiday season.
Todd Schafer Executive Director