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Category: Zambia

Teaching Links with Zambia

posted: 22/12/2010

launch of the AATAZ book of 'teachers telling it al'l HIV testimony in May this yearGeorge House Trust is proud to welcome and host Remmy Mukonka, the Executive Director of the Zambian teachers HIV organisation, AATAZ. Remmy is learning through working at George House Trust, as part of the Commonwealth Exchange Programme. It's two way - he's also helping us with his insights and advice.

Here we tell you about this exciting project, the Anti-AIDS Teachers Association of Zambia, and about how you may help.

More about AATAZ You can find out much more about AATAZ on our other pages here.

HIV and Teachers in Zambia
The Zambian HIV organisation of teachers, AATAZ, was founded in 2001 because healthy teachers are key to a healthy community. AATAZ works to raise HIV and AIDS awareness and promotes positive behaviour change among teachers, young people and the local community. In Zambia 15.2% of the population has HIV: 1,100,000 people. In NW England under 1% of the population has HIV.

AATAZ believe education is a powerful social vaccine against the spread of HIV.

The organisation started because of the high rates of HIV infection and death among Zambian teachers, which has a devastating impact not only on teachers, but on the whole school system.

AATAZ has developed holistic approachs to supporting teachers and working with the education system, to combat HIV and make a better future for Zambia’s children.

AATAZ at work
AATAZ - Chilenje high school students performing in front of positive HIV messageAt their centre in Lusaka, AATAZ offers local orphans and vulnerable children IT skills training, dance, theatre, music and sport.

These help improve communication, negotiation and team skills. The schooling provides solidarity and respect, and increases self-confidence and protection from exploitation and harm.

AATAZ sends and supports 30 orphans to attend school.

The core of the AATAZ mission, is caring for teachers living with HIV and AIDS and preventing new infections among teachers.

To do this they set up teacher support groups in all nine Zambian provinces. This means teachers can quickly get the local care and support they need to live well, and the support strengthens their families’ ability to cope with the effects of HIV.

AATAZ Faweza HIV training group returning to classZambian Community Outreach
The Anti-AIDS Teachers’ Association of Zambia reaches thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged families each year, with HIV information, prevention strategies, nutrition advice, care and support, and free HIV-testing and counselling.

Yet AATAZ faces a severe lack of resources that limits what they can do and the help they can provide. AATAZ are, for example, seeking new or second hand computers, to help them make a bigger improvement in the quality of life of the children they help.

AATAZ school children crowding around one school computer
AATAZ has the track record, expertise, people, passion, skills, networks, experience, integrity and reputation, to deliver impactful, tangible and sustainable results. What they lack is basic resources.
 

The AATAZ team have delivered extraordinary results with remarkably few resources.

With a few more resources, they could make a major impact on even more people’s lives, in a country where HIV has already reduced Zambians’ average life expectancy to 42 years.

Computers are one of the most powerful ways to boost their ability to make an impact in the fight against HIV, and to brighten the future for the children.
 

With internet access computers are the most effective and affordable gateway to new resources, information and networks, and one of the most powerful tools for helping AATAZ raise funds and communicate.

AATAZ know computers are the key to sustainability and will help it become less dependent on goodwill.

What would help?
AATAZ are urgently looking for both desktop and laptop computers. Desktops are best for teaching the children, while the laptops are the most cost effective and portable way for staff to have the most impact.

Investing in technology and infrastructure is one of the most powerful ways to increase AATAZ's capacity. This is particularly true of charities in resource-poor settings, where basic technology can transform an organisation.

Make a big difference
If you are able to support a charity this year, then this is one where you can make a big difference. Small investments in computers will have a big impact. The results are big in scale, the need is urgent, and the results will be seen quickly. That’s the very real difference your support would make, it would mean the highest possible impact for every pound you are able to offer.

Keen to help?
We will provide a way for people to make donations to AATAZ very early in the new year, 2011.

Computers4Africa

Acorns into Oaks - donations making a big difference

Even small donations support the work of AATAZ in big ways
 

What difference would you like to make?

  • AATAZ supports HIV orphan school children here in Lusaka, with essential uniforms, exercise books and pens£2 buys a basic school stationery kit for one child (2 pencils, 2 biros, sharpener, eraser, ruler)
  • £5 buys one pair of childrens shoes for school
  • £10 buys seedlings for one person to start a basic vegetable and herb garden
  • £12 buys a school uniform for one child
  • £22 buys two African drums for the dance and music group
  • £30 pays for a garden spade and a hoe for a herb and vegetable garden
  • £50 pays for the football team refreshments and first aid kits for two months
  • £70 pays one month’s salary of a peer educator in their Recreation Centre 
  • £85 pays for a year of high school fees for one child
  • £100 pays one month's salary of the psychosocial children's counsellor 
  • £200 would help install safe and hygenic children's toilets at the centre.

 

More about AATAZ

You can find out much more about AATAZ on our other pages here.


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