At COWLHA, we believe that every individual, regardless of their health status, deserves access to comprehensive care, support, and the opportunity to thrive. Over the past three years, we embarked on a transformative mission to uplift and empower adolescent mothers living with HIV, ensuring they have access to the health services and support they deserve. Through the โ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ฝ ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐โ project, supported by VIIV Healthcare and MANERELA+, weโve been working in the districts of Dedza and Phalombe to empower, break barriers and create brighter futures for these young people.
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐
When we launched this project, we knew the road ahead wouldnโt be easy. The three-year project, which began in 2021, was designed to address the unique challenges faced by adolescent mothers and their children aged 10-24 years. These adolescent mothers, often overlooked by society, face immense challenges. From stigma and discrimination to limited access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services, their journey is one of resilience and determination. By 2024, we set out to ensure these young women had access to life-changing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and comprehensive knowledge on HIV. And weโre proud to say that over the course of the project, we reached ๐,๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ with vital HIV and SRHR information and support services.
๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ
๐. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ-๐๐จ-๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Imagine being a young mother, living with HIV, uncertain of the future. Now, imagine having someone by your sideโsomeone who understands your journey, who can guide and support you. This is what our peer mentorship program has done for 30 adolescent mothers and fathers. These young leaders have become beacons of hope in their communities. Their training in treatment literacy, family planning, and gender-based violence (GBV) has sparked a 30% rise in adolescents seeking family planning services. More than that, theyโve managed to help link ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐-๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ and ensuring ๐,๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐.
๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ
Thereโs something profound about having a space where you feel safe, a place where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and find support without fear of judgement. This is exactly what our safe hubs have provided. These hubs, supported by health care workers providing SRH services, have increased family planning uptake and created lasting community connections. Despite the devastation of Cyclone Freddy, which affected so many of the young mothers we work with, community leaders have stepped up. Theyโve donated land, firewood and brick ovens ensuring that the construction of new HIV support group hubs continue. A testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of local ownership and sustainability.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐. ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐
Through the creation of Village Savings and Loan (VSL) groups, 60 adolescent mothers have learned the power of saving and investing. While the floods caused by Cyclone Freddy set back some of these efforts, the project planted seeds of resilience. Empowering these young women to rebuild, to rise, and to continue striving for a better tomorrow. Additionally, 20 pigs were distributed to 120 adolescent girls and young mothers, with the goal of promoting income generation through livestock farming. This pass-on initiative offers vital sustenance and economic benefits, empowering these young women to support themselves and their families.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ
We understand that health is holistic. Itโs not just about treatmentโitโs about nutrition, mental well-being, and creating a nurturing environment for both mothers and their children. Through our training programs, 50 adolescent parents have gained vital knowledge on food security and nutrition, allowing them to prepare healthier meals for themselves and their children, and thus supporting the effectiveness of HIV treatment. Itโs a small shift, but one that has made a world of difference in their daily lives.
๐. ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Thereโs no easy way to change harmful cultural practices, but with support and determination, weโre doing it. Through our community awareness campaigns, weโve tackled practices that put young girls at risk. Practices such as โKugula Ufa,” where stepfathers exploited adolescent girls, are now being actively challenged by community and traditional leaders, creating safer environments for adolescent mothers and their children.
๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ, ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
This journey hasnโt been without its challenges. Cyclone Freddy was a devastating blow, affecting everything from the construction of hubs to the financial progress of our VSL groups. But in the face of adversity, these young mothers have shown incredible resilience. With the support of their communities and the determination of COWLHAโs team, theyโve continued to push forward.
Weโve also learned that real change requires partnership. It requires the commitment of traditional leaders, religious leaders, healthcare providers, and every individual in the community. Together, weโve built something that will last far beyond the scope of this project.
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ?
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the work is far from over. This is just the beginning. Weโve seen firsthand the impact that this project has had, but there is still so much more to be done. We dream of reaching even more adolescent mothers and their children, ensuring that no one is left behind. With continued support, we can extend our reach, build more safe spaces, and offer more young mothers the chance to thrive.
At COWLHA, we remain committed to our mission: empowering women and girls, especially those living with HIV, to take control of their health, their futures, and their lives. Together, with your support and the strength of our communities, weโll keep pushing forward.