What is HIV and AIDS?

VSO has produced a mainstreaming guide which details their commitment to
mainstreaming and the different stages of mainstreaming.
The VSO model illustrates the idea that HIV mainstreaming happens at different
levels of an organisation, starting from the Programme Office reaching out to the
volunteers and partners. Activities can also happen at different levels at the same time,
for example on World AIDS Day. The model also shows the strong link between
gender and HIV which should be part of all HIV mainstreaming work, as well as the
GIPA principle. The model should be used to develop context-specific activities that
lead to small, significant and sustainable changes.
The Two Dimensions of Mainstreaming
“Internal Mainstreaming” is a term referred to an organisation’s response to the
impact of HIV on itself as an organisation and on its work force. Workplace
programmes and workplace policies are an example of internal mainstreaming.
“External mainstreaming” is the term which refers to an organisation’s response to
HIV in its programmes and project work.
(Source: VSO Tanzania – HIV and AIDS Mainstreaming Manual, 2006)
Sensitisation is the first step and it is the most important. It is encouraging people to
discuss HIV openly and creating safe environments for them to do so. It is also the
stage where people begin to recognize that HIV affects them as an individual. Without
this, HIV will still be thought of as an issue that is far away. As a volunteer, you can
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