2025 SUSTAINING AND IMPROVING GAINS IN HIV / TB AND MALARIA PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

CHAZ, Global Fund and ECR funded project (1st January 2023 – 31st December 2026)

7/4/20264 min read

2025: A Year of Resilience, Reach and Youth Empowerment

Across Mpika and Kalomo, 2025 was a year of growth, adaptation and renewed commitment to adolescent health.

Through the Global Fund-supported Sustaining and Improving Gains in HIV, TB and Malaria Project, Youth Alive Zambia (YAZ) continued working with adolescents, families, health facilities, traditional leaders and communities to increase access to information, prevention services and support.

From schools and health facilities to traditional ceremonies, markets and community radio, YAZ took health information and services closer to the people.

Key highlights from 2025:

2,237 adolescents reached during the first quarter
Expanded from 5 to 11 health facilities, increasing the project's reach
35 community paralegals trained to strengthen GBV response and access to justice
Peer educators and parents equipped with knowledge and skills to support adolescents
990 individuals accessed HIV prevention services in the final quarter
3,078 people reached through TB screening between October and December
74 Buddy Support sessions strengthened peer-to-peer support
50 adolescents completed coaching sessions
471 young people engaged through sports activities
394 people reached through roadshows
79 individuals accessed services during the Lwiindi Ceremony in Kalomo
18 adolescents graduated from the Coaching Boys and Girls into Men and Women programme

But 2025 was about more than numbers.

It was about bringing communities into the conversation.

Traditional and faith leaders became important partners in addressing HIV, TB and GBV. Sports, drama, film, cultural events and radio created new and relatable ways to reach young people. Parents were equipped to better support their children, while peer educators became voices of information and encouragement among their peers.

The year also reminded us that progress does not come without challenges. Low PrEP uptake, stigma, GBV underreporting, limited survivor protection services, distance to health facilities and cultural barriers continue to affect access to services.

These challenges have strengthened our resolve to do more.

As YAZ looks ahead, we remain committed to strengthening peer-led interventions, expanding prevention and awareness campaigns, improving GBV referral pathways, building stronger partnerships with traditional and faith leaders, and promoting inclusive, youth-friendly services.

Because lasting change happens when communities are not simply reached — they are empowered to become part of the solution.

Together, we are building healthier, safer and more informed communities where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

2026 SUSTAINING AND IMPROVING GAINS IN HIV TB AND MALARIA PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Project Highlights

Laying the Groundwork for Healthier Futures

The first quarter of 2026 may have been quieter in terms of field activities, but behind the scenes, Youth Alive Zambia (YAZ) was laying important foundations for the next phase of its HIV and TB response in Mpika and Kalomo.

Through the Global Fund-supported Sustaining and Improving Gains in HIV, TB and Malaria Project, YAZ worked alongside ECR, District Health Offices and frontline health workers to strengthen systems and prepare for increased community outreach.

What happened during the quarter?

* 135 raincoats were distributed in Kalomo to support health workers, peer educators and community volunteers to reach communities even during challenging weather.

* YAZ and ECR teams conducted engagements with health facilities, including Mpika Urban Hospital and Kalomo Urban Hospital, to assess systems, identify gaps and strengthen collaboration.

* Field monitoring highlighted important areas for improvement, including data quality, reporting timelines, PrEP and GBV indicator understanding, and access to peer educator manuals.

Most importantly, these findings were not simply recorded — they are being turned into action.

YAZ is strengthening data verification, improving reporting processes and developing practical tools to support peer educators and health workers to deliver and document quality services.

Because meaningful impact is not only about reaching people. It is about making sure the systems behind that reach are strong, reliable and responsive.

As implementation moves forward, YAZ looks forward to expanding PrEP sensitisation, TB screening, SGBV awareness, peer support and community engagement, while working closely with traditional leaders and other community stakeholders.

2026 - 2027

Since June 2024, Youth Alive Zambia (YAZ), through the Global Fund-supported Sustaining and Improving Gains in HIV, TB and Malaria Project, has been working with adolescents, schools, health facilities and communities in Mpika and Kalomo to promote healthier, safer and more empowered young people.

Through partnerships with government institutions, traditional leaders, health workers and community stakeholders, the project has created spaces where adolescents can learn, ask questions, speak openly and make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.

Some of the key achievements include:

1,376 adolescents directly reached through life skills, mentorship and health education
85 peer educators trained to support and engage their peers
7,670 people reached through TB screening
486 community members engaged through traditional ceremonies and community sensitisation
46 Buddy Support sessions conducted to strengthen peer-to-peer support
8 PrEP sensitisation campaigns conducted to increase awareness of HIV prevention
35 parents and caregivers equipped with parenting skills
10 Coaching Boys and Girls sessions supporting positive life choices

Sports, film screenings and community dialogues used to make health messages more engaging and accessible

One of the greatest lessons has been that young people respond when they are given a voice and safe spaces to use it. Creative approaches such as film and sport have opened conversations that can sometimes be difficult to have, while traditional and community leaders have played an important role in challenging harmful practices and strengthening community ownership.

There are still challenges — including GBV underreporting, distance to health services, limited resources and the need for greater inclusion of learners with disabilities. But the progress demonstrates what is possible when young people, communities, government and partners work together.

Youth Alive Zambia remains committed to building communities where every adolescent has access to the information, support and services they need to grow, thrive and live a healthy and empowered life.

2024 SUSTAINING AND IMPROVING GAINS IN HIV TB AND MALARIA PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS