What is HIV and AIDS?

Case Studies
Rwanda: As a result of the training of schools headmasters, it is becoming a good practice for
schools to develop HIV & AIDS sensitive workplace policies at school. The VSO PHARE
project and partners are in the process of developing a school policy on HIV&AIDS that sets a
replicable model for other schools. 10 guidelines have so far been drawn up.
Kenya: All VSO partners now receive initial sensitisation and basic training in workplace
programming, through the Partnership Orientation Workshop, which follows ILO and Kenya
Federation of Employers codes of conduct. A baseline tool has been developed by VSO for
all partners to measure their current level of HIV & AIDS awareness and activities. In
addition:
• Two partners accessed small grants from VSO to support staff training and
workplace policy development.
• VSO Kenya, together with Jitolee, carried out staff training in HIV & AIDS, and
partnered with an AIDS service organisation to provide quality prevention,
treatment and care services for staff.
• 20 Disability partners received training through VSO in HIV & AIDS mainstreaming
• 8 Secure Livelihoods partners received training in HIV & AIDS mainstreaming.
Malawi: Through the facilitation of a volunteer development worker placed with the key
partner at the Chitipa District AIDS Coordinating Committee (DACC), an HIV & AIDS
Workplace Policy was developed. This policy was developed to be a guide, which could be
adopted by CBOs under Chitipa DACC, and all government departments in Chitipa
District. The policy was documented, reviewed and agreed by staff and heads of
departments. As a result of the development of the workplace policy, notable changes
have been observed such as the establishment of a Workplace Committee from different
government and non governmental departments, responsible for HIV & AIDS programme
activities at the workplace, condom distribution in toilets, provision of information,
communication, education (IEC) materials at the workplace, reminding staff and partners
about risky behaviours, and encouraging members of staff to go for HIV & AIDS
counselling and testing. Heads of Departments have also renewed their commitment to
ensure that 2% of any funds allocated to them will be used to run HIV & AIDS activities at
the workplace for staff, where previously no HIV & AIDS activities were undertaken.
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