Temwa staff in Malawi have hit the ground running with the second year of this TJ Meyer Family Foundation funded project. The phase II mobile VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) project aims to test a minimum of 3,000 individuals in 20 locations throughout Nkhata Bay North. The project will also include nine mobile HIV & AIDS video shows across the region to help spread awareness and reduce the stigma against those diagnosed with HIV & AIDS.

All the mobile video shows were aired during the sensitisation meeting stage, and it seems that they can be partly attributed to the increased popularity of the clinics during this second phase. So far 8 mobile VCT clinics have taken place in the villages of Bua, Nthembo, Nkhutu, Lupiro, Chiwisi, Kawanda, Banda and Mtawa. The total number of people tested at these clinics was 558. Those attending receive both pre- and post-test counselling, with general information about HIV & AIDS as well as more specific information about how to keep safe and live positive lives.

Temwa is currently looking for funding to initiate a series of separate projects towards the end of this year. The proposed projects will focus on follow-up support for those that test positive and are living openly. These will include the setting up of support groups and the dissemination of positive living and home-based care training.

Temwa's Senior Assistant Project Manager, Junior Jumbo, stood outside the testing venue in Chiwisi village

The nurse performing the tests, Wakisa Kachali (far left), stood with people receiving pre-test counselling

A testing kit 

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