In Zambia, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.3 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) who are infected with, or affected by, HIV.  The USAID Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) project provides holistic, needs-based services to vulnerable children, adolescents, and their caregivers.

Focusing their work in areas hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, ZAMFAM mitigates social, emotional and economic impacts of the epidemic by reducing risk and vulnerability and increasing resilience. In select districts, ZAMFAM also serves as an implementing partner under the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS- Free, Mentored, Safe (DREAMS) project.

DREAMS is a global initiative designed to prevent new HIV infections among Adolescent Girls and Young WOmen (AGYW) ages 10-24 across ten countries in sub-Saharan Africa. DREAMS delivers a core package of evidence-informed approaches, within and beyond the health sector, to address the structural drivers that impact AGYW’s HIV risk, including gender inequality, lack of education, poverty and sexual violence.

ZAMFAM works across 25 districts to provide the clinical and social services that vulnerable children and adolescents need to survive, thrive and become healthy adults. Through close collaboration with district and community stakeholders, as well as faith and traditional leaders, ZAMFAM offers the following interventions:

• HIV prevention and primary prevention of sexual violence;
• supportive referrals to health and social services;
• household economic strengthening;
• education access support; and
• parenting-skills programs.

Under DREAMS, ZAMFAM works with five other implementing partners to reduce HIV incidence among AGYW.  As part of the DREAMS package of services, ZAMFAM provides parenting programs for caregivers of AGYW. The intervention focuses on improving family communications - especially around HIV and sexual and reproductive health.

In addition to direct service delivery, ZAMFAM works closely with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) to support the Seventh (2017-2021) National Development Plan, the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2017-2021, and the National Social Protection Policy.  This includes working with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, through the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme and the Ministry of Health through the facilities. 

JOURNEY TO SELF-RELIANCE

USAID believes every person, every community, and every country wants to be empowered to lead their own future. We support self-reliance by walking alongside our friends on their development journey, as evolving but enduring partners.  As partners on this journey, we are empowering host-country governments and our partners to achieve locally sustained results, helping countries mobilize public and private revenues, strengthening local capacities, and accelerating enterprise-driven development.  This approach fosters stable, resilient, and prosperous countries that are more self-reliant, and prioritizes enduring partnerships.