Project title: Advocacy directed towards Ministry of Education officials and parents to support HIV/AIDS projects in upper primary schools in Nakuru District

Implementing body: Family Planning Association of Kenya (FPAK)

Aim: To generate support for HIV/AIDS services in schools and to promote youth access to HIV/AIDS integrated prevention services

Since HIV was first reported by Kenya's antenatal clinics in the mid-1980s, HIV/AIDS has become Kenya's most serious health issue.

By 2001 almost 900,000 children had been orphaned by the pandemic. It became clear to the authorities that if the situation was to improve, the spotlight needed to focus on young people. In 2003 the Family Planning Association of Kenya (FPAK) resolved to overcome the challenges in getting HIV/AIDS projects into schools.

A first step for the project was to encourage parents and education authorities to accept the idea of school-based HIV/AIDS education in upper primary schools in Kenya's Nakuru District. With youth in mind, the FPAK initiative set out to:

• build the commitment of Ministry of Education officials to HIV/AIDS projects in schools
• gain acceptance in homes and schools for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among young people
• develop a peer educator network and support system to promote STI/HIV/AIDS awareness and improve access to SRH services
• work with community groups and NGOs to strengthen a youth-centred response