Vending with Hope

A Market for JTF’s Services in Malawi

Watch the Vending with Hope video for an insight into the market for JTF’s services in Mitundu.

8,000 young male and female vendors descend on Mitundu Market (38kms from Malawi’s capital city Lilongwe) twice a week. Some female vendors offer sex in exchange for favours like lower prices, free transport and accommodation. Many young men spend small profits on drink and sex. An assessment of 161 vendors revealed that 20% had contracted an STI, 50% of them had had sex without a condom on at least one occasion, 30% of vendors had had sex with a sex worker, but only 13% of these had used a condom. Negative attitudes and long waiting times discouraged them from using sexual and reproductive health services (SRH) at the nearby hospital.

With HIV prevalence in Malawi running at 15% for 15-49 year olds, FPAM (the Family Planning Association of Malawi) joined with the JTF to create a project designed to deliver information and services to vendors and the surrounding community. Liaising with District and City Assembly Authorities, traditional Chiefs, Members of Parliament and the District Health Office the Vending with Hope initiative was formed.

In just ten months, Vending with Hope provided Voluntary Counselling and Testing to 1,000 clients, and STI treatment to 112 individuals. It directly accessed 4,000 vendors. It initiated 60 peer group discussions, and trained 10 peer educators. Watch the video footage for an insight into the market for JTF’s services in Mitundu.

Watch the Vending with Hope video.

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