Insika Ya Kusasa

Bantwana has extensive experience delivering large, comprehensive, integrated OVC and HIV programs. As the implementing partner with the largest geographic footprint of Pact’s Insika ya Kusasa project, Bantwana delivers HIV prevention and impact mitigation activities in 6 Tinkhundla, reaching 11,368 OVC and 5,557 AGYW (15-29 years) annually. Interventions include HIV prevention and protective assets programming; business mentorship and Worth savings and lending groups; COVID-19 awareness and vaccine mobilization and linkages; and impact mitigation activities for HIV, gender based violence/violence against children (GBV/VAC) beneficiaries, leveraging 156 community volunteers, 9 C/ALHIV support groups (Teen Clubs) and HTS referrals.

AGYW are reached with the DREAMS HIV prevention package including linkages to the DREAMS On Wheels clinical services provided by The Luke Commission. DREAMS services also include small group HIV prevention sessions facilitated by peers (Youth Mentors), condom promotion and distribution, and linkages to other biomedical services like PrEP.

Bantwana also delivers GBV services under this grant, with qualified social workers who collaborate with the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) to provide GBV prevention and post abuse care services.

The project’s increased HIV prevention, care and treatment pivot supports the country’s 95:95:95 goals, helping to mobilize and distribute HIV self-testing among young women, increase HIV case identification (and linkages to care), and strengthen bi-directional referrals between health care facilities and the Insika project.

The coordinated community mobilization and DREAMS on Wheels mobile outreach increased HTS completion, and; Bantwana’s GBV case management approach (that includes joint service delivery with the Department of Social Welfare) increased uptake of post GBV services.

To address and mitigate COVID-19, our vaccine mobilizers engage our beneficiaries, addressing vaccine hesitancy and providing linkages to vaccination.