The Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT) is a high priority for the Government of Zimbabwe. Despite significant progress made towards ending HIV and AIDS, the Zimbabwe Stigma Index highlighted high levels of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV. This has negatively impacted on women, leading to late Antenatal Care (ANC) booking, non-disclosure of HIV status to male partners, low male involvement in EMTCT and sub-optimal access to and low uptake of services. Production of this film was led by Her Excellency Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and the Office of the First Lady of Zimbabwe, working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe, funded by UNAIDS, The Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). Through this film meet Tarisai a young mother from the Zvandiri program, as she shares her journey to a positive life in rural Zimbabwe!

Every few years the World Health Organization (WHO) brings together experts from across the globe to look at the latest evidence and then make recommendations about which interventions and approaches for HIV work the best. These become part of the international guidelines which are shared with countries to support them to deliver care for people affected by HIV, including young people. We talked to 388 young people living with HIV on behalf of the WHO, to find out from those who know best. We asked them for their opinions about how psychosocial support (PSS) can improve young people’s engagement in care and other health outcomes. All the evidence was shared with WHO and they are now launching the new guidelines with a recommendation that psychosocial support should be included in HIV treatment and care for adolescents. Watch our animation to hear about what we learnt and how PSS can improve the lives of young people living with HIV

This film shows the work of Zvandiri CATS supporting young people living with HIV and the success of our model in improving treatment outcomes and quality of life. The model has been implemented and scaled up in partnership with Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care over the last 16 years. The Zvandiri trial led by CeSHHAR and funded by ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action has confirmed that adolescents receiving services from Zvandiri are more likely to have improved viral suppression and mental health. The model is now being adopted in 8 countries in the region. Thank you to the British HIV Association and ITN Productions for the making of the film. A special thank you to Leosa, Maxwell and Mr Nyandoro for sharing their stories.

Rumbi and Sungi talk about the importance of going for an HIV test even in COVID times. Rumbi explains how to arrange for a test and the different types of test that you can take. Zvandiri and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care produced this animation with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development. The animation is available in English, Shona and Ndebele

Young people living with HIV from Zvandiri have created ‘Together Super Power’ to remind policy makers, implementers, researchers and communities that they are so much more than a number or a statistic. They are individuals with individual lives and experiences and they want to be heard! Through this song and animated film, they show themselves as young people with extraordinary superpowers, ready to support other children and young people, and celebrate their own lives, strengths, uniqueness and diversity. Once again, Zvandiri youth had the opportunity to team up with Zimbabwean singer/song writer and producer Rina Mushonga who helped them to articulate and share their message in this powerful, creative and unique production. Collaboration has consistently been a key element of this project, bringing together local artists and musicians to share their skills and interact with the Zvandiri youth to create something special together. This network of collaboration, support and creative energy just goes to show that we truly are stronger together 'Together Super Power!' Thanks to the amazing musicians and artists Lead artist: Rina Mushonga Artists: Monkey Nuts, Tariro Kamera, 12 Hope Choir, Sharkboy, Lloyd Armani, Zvandiri Choir Animation: Dream Box https://dreambox.co.zw/ Creative direction and script: Rina Mushonga and Rodney Masanga Huge thanks to UNICEF and Maruva Trust for making this project possible.

Rumbi and Sungi talk about the importance of going for an HIV test even in COVID times. Rumbi explains how to arrange for a test and the different types of test that you can take. Zvandiri and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care produced this animation with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development. The animation is available in English, Shona and Ndebele

Albeto starts his story by describing the depression and suicidal thoughts he was experiencing at the age of 16 years. He was also tested for HIV at that time and when he reached out for support from him mother, she was angry with him for being HIV positive. Albeto describes how he discovered his mother’s ARVs but she continued ignoring his requests for more information about his HIV status. Albeto tells us how he felt so lonely and stopped adhering to his treatment. This changed when he was linked to a CATS and joined the local Zvandiri support group. He narrates how he no longer felt alone and realized he would be OK. He describes how he hoped that his mother would be proud of him but instead she turned away CATS when they visited him. He became depressed and the CATS, clinic nurses, psychiatric unit and case care workers all worked together to ensure that Albeto received the care and support he needed. This included family therapy sessions with his mother. He describes how his mother came to understand more about Albeto’s needs and experiences and has now disclosed her HIV status and apologized for her lack of support. Albeto reminds us of the need to integrate HIV and mental health services if we are to provide the support which young people living with HIV need.

Ivy is 14 years old. Ivy started ARVs as a small child but at the age of 14, she had not yet been told what the medicines were for. She lived with her Grandmother who told Ivy that the medicines were for a headache, but she did not have a headache. In her film, Ivy describes the anger and confusion she felt and the way she threw all her tablets away when she realized her Grandmother was lying to her. She also stopped attending clinic because her Grandmother couldn’t afford the transport. Ivy narrates how her health continued to deteriorate, she lost trust in everyone and felt that she may as well die. When the clinic asked a CATS to follow up Ivy at home, she began to receive counselling and financial assistance for transport to the clinic. After the death of her mother, Ivy was disclosed to by the health worker who then worked together with the Zvandiri team and CATS to provide post disclosure counselling and adherence support. Although she initially feared that she would die like her mother, Ivy tells us that this has now changed as a result of the continued counselling she has received and the support the CATS is giving to her Grandmother.