Tag: Sister to Sister

After Dropping Out Of School Due to An Early Marriage, Mhondoro Adolescent Girl Traces Footsteps Back To Classroom

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Chegutu When COVID-19 hit in 2020, everything came to a standstill as governments worldwide clamped down on services to pave way for the effective management of the disease. Unfortunately, the education sector was also affected, and learning was suspended. This, however, increased the vulnerability of girls from poor backgrounds as many were driven into early marriages to escape from the effects of poverty and hunger that characterised the pandemic period. One such girl is Theresa Garikai (21), from Katawa Village, from Mhondoro Mubaira, Chegutu District, who…

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Helping Out Of School Adolescent Girls Navigate HIV and AIDS Vices Through Economic Strengthening Programs in Mash West

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Being the first born child to both parents living with hearing and speech disabilities, 20 year old Cecelia Mhande from Chikangwe Township in Karoi, has not had it easy. Her situation got worse when her father lost his job at a local dealership a few years ago, plunging her entire family into untold economic hardships. Even though she wrote and passed her Advanced Level (A Level) examinations in 2023, her prospects of going into University this year hang in limbo owing to the financial challenges back home.…

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Bridging The ART Access Gap During A Pandemic, CATS Hold The Fort In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

WHEN the COVID-19 was reported in Zimbabwe in 2020, government announced a national lockdown with the view of curbing the spread of the virus and limiting community transmissions. In the process other essential health services were also locked down, leaving People Living with HIV (PLHIV) especially young people living with HIV and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at a disadvantage. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mashonaland East With tight restrictions, fears of young people on ART falling by the wayside were rife as in most cases, young people would shun visiting…

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#SisterToSister Program Keeps UMP Girls Off Early Marriages and HIV Risk

NewsRoom

THE Sister to Sister program being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research project (Zichire) is working flat out to ensure young girls in Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) pursue their dreams without the inconvenience of early marriages and HIV infection. By Michael Gwarisa recently in UMP The issue of early marriages is most prevalent in the UMP district with members of the Appstolic sect (Mapostori ekwa Marange) and artisanal miners (Makororkoza) being the major perpetrators  and drivers of early marriages. In an interview on the sidelines of a…

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