HIV Free Generation

RFFA

When 2.5 million new HIV infections worldwide were reported in 2007, it became clear that a groundbreaking new approach to prevention was needed...global leaders from the private sector joined the public sector and non-governmental organizations to revolutionize HIV prevention through new structures. Rotarians For Fighting AIDS, Inc. is a founding Partner.

Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation

HIV-Free Generation links traditional approaches to AIDS prevention with the power of the private sector to take prevention to the next level.

HIV-Free Generation initially targeted Nairobi, Kenya as its pilot location to develop and test best practices.  The overall goal is to reduce new infections among youth aged 10-24 and then rapidly take lessons learned and apply them in other countries hard hit by the epidemic.

Actions

Meet Youth Where They Are - and Meet Them Everywhere

• Because youth float between many situations and settings that may put them at risk, we concentrate combination prevention programs at multiple outlets within a single geographical area, including faith-based venues, schools, out-of-school centers, and businesses.
• As different age groups need different programming, and data shows that young girls are more likely to access programs and change behavior if they have a "safe space," we create age- and female -specific sites and programming.

Use 21st Century Approaches to Change Behavior - and Maintain the Change

• Leverage expert knowledge of companies whose success depends upon changing youth behavior, including use of video games and text messaging.
• Build upon the core competencies of the private sector in market and other research to evaluate behavior change in real- time and to rapidly modify approaches to maximize efficacy.

Get Youth Off the Streets - and Keep Them Off the Streets

• Use expertise in behavior change held by the private sector to draw youth to prevention sites, reach them while they are there, and keep them coming back.
• Identify job opportunities, train and place youth through prevention sites, and provide entrepreneur mentorship linked to real jobs for economic gain in private sector businesses.

Pilot the Partnership in Kenya and rapidly expand to other PEPFAR countries. In Kenya, HIV-Free Generation will:

• Engage existing partners in multiple sectors across Nairobi to rapidly enhance and expand youth program offerings at prevention sites.
• Develop modules for different interventions and evaluate efficacy of each module for rapid dissemination through PEPFAR.
• By accessing hard-to-reach populations and more effective programming, seek to reduce new infections among youth aged 10-24.

Through the Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation, the public and private sectors reach beyond what was once considered possible, and deliver hope, health and a better future to thousands of young people.

Learn More ... www.hivfreegeneration.org | www.PEPFAR.gov