From: Community groups as ‘critical enablers’ of the HIV response in Zimbabwe
Group | Description |
---|---|
Church group | Members from the same congregation meet outside of regular church worship times. Engage in Bible study, discussing marital issues, and community outreach, particularly helping families in need (such as those with sick members or orphaned children) |
AIDS support group | Loose term to apply to variety of groups including Post HIV test clubs (mostly PLWHA), HIV/ART support groups often organized by clinics, youth groups, peer education groups, home based care groups (members go house to house helping families with sick relatives - doing chores, bathing the sick, sometimes collecting pills from clinic, etc.) |
Burial society | Members contribute small sums of money to central fund to cover basic funeral expenses of themselves and other members. Members commit to organizing proper burials for one another and often sing at funerals. Generally meet monthly. |
Rotating credit society | Members contribute to central fund and when they reach a certain amount the money is shared for income generating projects such as buying seeds. Members borrow at same interest rate and loans can be made to non-members at a higher rate. |
Women's group | Often linked to government women's empowerment initiatives. Supported by government income generating grants. |
Sports club | Male dominated. Organize tournaments against other regions. Primarily soccer. |
Youth group | Often organized by political parties or teachers, these seek to develop leadership skills and provide recreation for youth (often into 20s – ‘end of youth’ often determined by marriage) |
Co-operative | Group members come together to set up an income generating project, co-owned and run by members. The groups sometimes get assistance from NGOs to expand their work. |
Farmer's group | Farmers, both male and female, meet monthly to plant crops, discuss weather patterns and new technologies, share labour and access NGO assistance (e.g. for farming implements or water irrigation) |