DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe) program
is an initiative focused on empowering adolescent girls and young women in high burden HIV countries like Zambia to reduce their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. DREAMS was developed under PEPFAR (the President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and is implemented by different partners to deliver multi-layered levels of services to ensure that girls have access to a comprehensive package of resources and skills to reduce their vulnerability and achieve their full potential.
Peace Corps DREAMS volunteers play a crucial role in addressing the high rates of HIV/AIDs among adolescent girls and young women, particularly in urban areas. First, volunteers support the Ministry of Education (MoE) in rolling out the Life Skills and Health Education curriculum (LSHE). LSHE, first introduced in Zambia through a UNESCO-MoE partnership, is a comprehensive, evidence-based, and medically and age-appropriate approach to life skills, sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education for girls and boys in grade 5-12. Secondly, DREAMS volunteers coordinate trainings for guidance counselors to support referrals and linkages to PEPFAR DREAMS centers, where adolescents and young women can access comprehensive sexual and reproductive services.
Ultimately, the goal of Peace Corps DREAMS program is to work alongside key stakeholders and contribute to achieving an HIV/AIDS-free Zambia by 2030.
Volunteers work alongside community partners to strengthen the LSHE curriculum's implementation. Photographed is one of the province's first counterparts that Peace Corps recruited, Zondwayo Ndhlovu. Ultimately, the goal of Peace Corps DREAMS program is to work alongside key stakeholders and contribute to achieving an HIV/AIDS-free Zambia by 2030.
Zondwayo Ndhlovu, Eastern Province's first champion.
