Fighting HIV/AIDS 

Under DREAMS, Lubuto Library Partners developed innovative programming based on the premise that public libraries are a uniquely accessible gateway for linking high-risk girls to the information and services that empower them to develop life skills, prevent HIV, and stay in school.

This solution included:

  • sustainable scholarship support

  • role model, peer-to-peer, all-male, and family mentoring

  • comprehensive and proactive health information and referral services

  • family literacy programs

  • a platform for sexual and reproductive health programming and research

Taken together, these program elements provide an avenue to staying in school, developing sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention knowledge, re-shaping harmful gender norms, and inspiring adolescent girls and young women to develop ambitious dreams for their futures. Lubuto’s DREAMS solutions are scalable and sustainable, continue to be available through Lubuto libraries post-DREAMS, and are designed to be adopted by other libraries as well as other community, health and education centers in the region.

Achievements

 
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53 girls supported with comprehensive scholarships
1,174 adolescent young women and men graduated from mentoring programs
180 peer leaders were trained

 
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888 youth attended
26 horizon-broadening field trips &
30 career speakers inspired program participants

 
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60.5% of DREAMS program participants view
gender-based violence as less acceptable

 
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Of 142 family literacy graduates
41% returned to school, gained employment
or started businesses

 
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4,755 girls, boys and community members served by outreach
862 individuals were tested at on-site HIV testing centers
with an unprecedented 100% referral completion rate
9 sexual and reproductive health or HIV programs offered by partners

Stories

Fighting HIV/AIDS
Lubuto's DREAMS kickoff celebration
Lubuto's DREAMS kickoff celebration

We celebrated the new Lubuto DREAMS program on February 22nd with a kickoff event at Ngwerere Library in Lusaka. Several hundred children and parents came to learn about our exciting new programs. Scores… Read more

Building community support and making girls' DREAMS come true
Building community support and making girls' DREAMS come true

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. During the first few months under the DREAMS grant, we have worked to build a strong and supportive community network in Lusaka so that we can work… Read more

Lubuto's DREAMS mentoring program field trips
Lubuto's DREAMS mentoring program field trips

When the DREAMS bus first pulled up in front of the Lubuto Library at Ngwerere, girls could not contain their excitement. Everyone wanted a chance to pose in front of it and have their photo taken… Read more