Young people from Zvandiri in Zimbabwe talk about their experiences of stigma in healthcare settings and about how they think services could be improved. Written and produced by Zvandiri Youth- Roberta Maruma, Takudzwa Dongo, Patience Sinoia and Tadiwanashe Kurimbanawo, for the WHO and the International Council of Nurses 2021.

In this animation we meet Farai who has recently had a viral load test. He and his mother are helped by the nurse and Community Adolescent Treatment Supporter (CATS) Sibo to understand the results and how keeping track of his viral load can help him to stay healthy and happy.

In this video we meet Rachel who is learning about the importance of viral load testing. With the help of a nurse, her aunt and her Community Adherence Treatment Supporter (CATS) Sibo, she is talking about the challenges she has faced with managing her HIV treatment and learning about how to take her medicines every day to stay healthy.

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.