a sourcebook of hiv/aids prevention programs volume 2

The Window of Hope Program, Namibia 157HIV-related skills. Having endorsed this framework the ministry’sresponsible decision-making body on curriculum reform revised the syllabiof the two carrier subjects.As of 2007 the program’s in-school component had not yet been implemented.Accordingly, this chapter focuses on the extracurricular component,which was based on lessons learned from the My Future My Choiceintervention (an earlier life-skills program implemented in Namibia) and onrecommendations of the national study conducted to develop an in-schoolprogram component. The design process was singular in its emphasis onparticipatory and culturally sensitive design, including active collaborationwith a range of national stakeholders as well as school children in rural andurban areas, parents, and representatives of religious organizations.Program design reflected several factors:• The need to reach children at an early age, when their behavior can stillbe shaped and most are enrolled in school.• The need for a holistic approach, combining both knowledge and skillsfor prevention and the building of psychosocial coping mechanisms in asociety that has been profoundly affected by HIV/AIDS. Such an approachalso seeks the best way to address inequalities between boys and girls,making sure that girls are equally empowered.• The importance of long-term commitment to children’s well-being. Theprogram consists of not just a few concise sessions but a series of meetingsover a period of up to four years. The program also stresses theactive involvement of parents and guardians in the after-school clubs, asfacilitators or facilitators’ assistants, to create deeper communication channelsbetween parents and children.• The challenge of developing a program that is suitable for Namibia’sculturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse population.The importance of delivering the messages early enoughIn Namibia, people are realizing now that in light of the current programs that aretargeting adolescents and young adults as far as their sexuality is concerned, somethingwas missing. That missing puzzle is the fact that children are being reached very late withsexuality-related messages that may be able to influence their attitudes and behaviors.The government recognized the need for children to receive information much more earlyon in life. Thus, in wanting to change behavior, it was realized it was better to targetchildren when they are still young rather than when they are already in the adolescenceperiod and may be engaging in some risky behaviors already.Program Implementer(c) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank