The Population Council, in collaboration with CARE International and Family Health Trust, conducted a study in Zambia to determine which care and support needs of people living with HIV and AIDS and their families could be met by trained youth, and to establish whether youth engaged in formalized care and support activities would increase their adoption of protective behaviors or reduce the stigma faced by members of AIDS-affected households. Discussions with caregivers and clients demonstrated that trained youth are able to meet a range of the needs of clients and orphans and vulnerable children, and that their efforts may be laying the foundation for decreased isolation and stigmatization of AIDS-affected families. This study also demonstrated that NGOs and youth clubs working in relatively isolated rural and semi-urban areas can meet with positive and enthusiastic responses and high levels of participation. A particular focus of the continuing study is to further strengthen local partnerships and expand network linkages in order to promote community ownership and sustainability
