Shujaa is Kiswahili for ‘champion’ or ‘Hero’. This project targets Most-at-Risk Populations (MARPs) and general populations.  MARPS include sex-workers, and truckers & transporters among other populations. It was envisioned that the beneficiaries of the project would ultimately become heroes and champions of HIV prevention–thus the name Shujaa. This vision is being translated into reality as the program keeps witnessing its beneficiaries’ spear-head the fight against HIV transmission by:

• Knowing their HIV status and that of their partners
• Participating in HIV risk reduction counseling and coming up with risk reduction plans
• Going through regular screening for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Participating in peer-to-peer health education sessions
• Increasing their capacity to negotiate for safer sex
• Exploring alternative livelihoods
• Participating in activities that reduce stigma in the community
• Participating in activities that reduce Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the community
• Increasing awareness on how to reduce alcohol and substance abuse in the community

Implementing Partners

Shujaa’s implementing partners are HOPE worldwide Kenya (HWWK), German Foundation for World Population (DSW), and Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO).  The project has been implementing HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Rift Valley Province since October 2010.

Funding

The Shujaa Project is funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief II (PEPFAR II).  The funding which is renewed annually will run for five years - October 2010 to September 2015.

Geographical Scope

The project has been scaling-up and refining the current HIV/AIDS prevention activities in Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties in Rift Valley Province.

Objectives

1. Expand Evidence-Based- Interventions (EBI) to reach female sex workers and truckers/ transporters in individual and/or small groups in Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties in Rift Valley.
2. Expand Prevention with Positives interventions to people living with HIV (using the national PWP minimum package in Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties in Rift Valley Province
3. Strengthen structural systems to support reduction of female sex workers’ vulnerability to HIV infection in Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot Counties in Rift Valley Province
4. Improve and expand access to counseling and testing services for sex workers, truckers/transporters and general populations in Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties in Rift Valley Province