HIV/Aids Awareness

In front of the hall stand two brave people. They are Naomi Ziba and Philemon Masive, both HIV-positive. Naomi and Philemon are volunteers who visit different audiences to talk about HIV/Aids through their own experience. They are both involved with the local clinic of CIRDZ, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia.

Now they are standing in front of around 35 KYP’s students in the happening that was arranged on HIV/Aids. Naomi and Philemon took their audience immediately. Especially Philemon, whose strong voice together with the strong appearance fulfilled the room.

Philemon found out that he was positive after having tuberculosis twice in a short period. He was tested in 2002, and he started ARVs straight away. Now he is feeling good. Naomi found out of her state a bit similar way: she used to be constantly ill, and the reason was found when she got tested. She too started ARVs and now she is married and has two healthy children.

When time, several hands are raised for questions. Students are asking for example that “Can the baby get infected through mother’s milk while breast feeding?” and “When can you stop using the ARVs?”Discussion continues lively until it is time for the drama group to perform.

The drama group sings songs about having several sexual relationships, and performs a play handling HIV in marriage. After the performance the discussion with Philemon and Naomi continues until we are forced to move on to the lectures.

Obviously there is need for the knowledge and a reason for arranging a similar happening again.

C.V. Studios Offers a Platform for Opinions

KYP’s campus is not only a place for vocational training but also a home for small businesses and community activities. In the far corner one may find a place called C.V. Studio.  C.V. Studio started as an anti-AIDS club but has now a wider agenda in its activities.

−C.V. is a community media producing audio and video products. We are doing civic education like hiv/aids, human trafficking and voter education. The point is to educate and to offer a platform for the local youth to express their opinions and ideas, explains Spark Sabuni.

Currently C.V. Studio has around 100 members. All the members are trained in audio and video production. For income generating the studio does commercial orders, like campaign materials and different type or recordings.

− We offer entertainment, education and information in the same package. Our vision is to start local radio and TV broadcasting, says Sabuni.

Lack of finances is however a current obstacle for this dream. No matter, C.V. Studios is in action. 

Sabuni points out that the government is not working properly in its communication policy as all is done only in English.

- For example the constitution is written in English. There are many vulnerable people who don’t understand English. We should have official publications in local languages, says Sabuni.

Career in Hotel & Catering

Everybody is writing. Classroom is very quiet until discussion breaks the silence again. The Hotel & Catering students are finalizing their project research and currently ongoing debate handles the cooperation between the reception, the laundry section, and the cleaning services.

There are two classes for Hotel & Catering. This class has started its studies in June 2010 and will be graduating in August. Both Abigail Mpofu and Brian Choobe are saying that one big reason why they chose KYP were the fair fees.

− My friend use to study here and she has a nice job, she is working as a chef in Protea Hotel. That rise my interest as well, tells Mpofu.

Hotel & Catering studies qualify graduates to work for example as a waiter, as a chef, or in reception. Mpofu wants to start working in a reception. Her dream is to open an own hotel one day. 

Choobe likes cooking and his plan is to seek employment as a chef. When asked he says his specialty is chicken and chips.

− Now I want to work and earn. Later on I would like to continue my studies to become an engineer, says Choobe.

Training the Skilled Youth

In the middle of the very busy, constantly moving Los Angeles Road there is a blue gate that leads to a campus area. Kanyama Youth Programme’s (KYP) main campus is situated in the beginning of the Kanyama area, opposite the Namununga School, close to the city centre of Lusaka. 

Kanyama Youth Programme is a community based vocational training centre that offers courses in Hotel & Catering, Automotive Mechanics, Automotive Electrical, Power Electrical, and Tailoring & Designing. The institution is registered by TEVETA and has grade 2 in TEVETA quality ranking. 

Kanyama Youth Programme’s aim is to empower the young people in the disadvantaged communities through vocational and entrepreneurship training, civic skills, and better knowledge on hiv/aids and substance abuse. The key objective is to enhance the possibilities of young people, especially women, to get employment or start their own small scale businesses. 

This blog will open the blue gate to the KYP campus. Welcome to read the stories and news from Kanyama Youth Programme and to gain more information about the institution and what is has to offer.

Goal is to have an own workshop

Three very concentrated young men. This car has had their full attention already for few days. Boyd Siansimbi is one of the Automotive Mechanics students that are focusing the get this old, white colour gentleman back to live again. 

Siansimbi says he is very much enjoying his studies within KYP. He started his studies in January, and is especially eager to gain more practical skills. So he is fixing the car with senior students, William M. Nowanga and John Mazuba, who started last July and are about to graduate in August. For the future Siansimbi has already clear plans.

− I want to establish my own business with my friends, he says.