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"AIDS has robbed us of our childhood"
Extracted from the UNICEF update from the First Zimbabwean National AIDS Conference June 15-18, 2004
June 16, 2004

Sheila Kapungu, who just graduated from the University of Zimbabwe, left almost everyone on the verge of tears as she narrated how HIV and AIDS has wreaked havoc in Zimbabwe and left children vulnerable at the opening ceremony of the National AIDS Conference.

"As a young person I cannot complain that I have not had opportunity. On the contrary, I have grown up in the age of progress and in the age of the information super highway, but alas, also the age of AIDS. This disease has robbed the youth of their childhood and made children parents and caregivers."

Sheila tells a story of ten year old Tumai who is deprived of her mother’s love because her mother must take care of a sick relative."

The hardships that result from those youth both infected and affected in Zimbabwe were echoed by Trevor Matambudziko, a youth activist, at a session on HIV Prevention Among Youth. He highlighted that not only are they suffering the consequences of the disease through the loss of parents but also at greater risk of being infected.

With 22% of women and 11% of males infected between the ages of 15-29 years old, they are, according to Trevor, the crucial link in preventing the further transmission of the disease. And although there are many youth interventions underway, such as youth friendly services, lifeskill education in schools, peer education and youth groups, Trevor stressed that much more needs to be done. Young people must be fully engaged and empowered, not simply with facts and messages but with real ways to find solutions to their circumstances.

Consensus was reached whereby the focus should shift from adult led to youth led interventions. Interventions must go beyond solely focusing on the individual as the target, but also address the social and policy environment where youth live to better address their circumstances.

Recommendations were made that youth friendly centres be expanded to include sporting and income generating activities. Also discussed was the need to sensitise authorities and communities on the importance of listening and respecting youth opinion.

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