Band practice at the Ekwendeni Resource Centre

25 Years of Saving Lives

Monday June 30

Jennifer Rietbergen, of the Church of Scotland in Geneva, celebrates the anniversary of an HIV prevention partnership in Malawi

Ekwendeni HIV Youth Resource Centre is a youth centre with a difference. By integrating HIV prevention into its program of sports and leisure activities, it has made a life-changing difference in the lives of thousands of young people over a quarter of a century.

Visit this unique Resource Centre in northern Malawi, and you will find it a hive of activity at any time of day. Outside its unassuming building, the Centre’s netball team will likely be perfecting their set pieces as they prepare for their next tournament. The Centre’s band may be rehearsing their high-energy music, with the amp turned up to max. Teenagers and young adults will be watching the sports, dancing along to the music, playing games or simply hanging out together. In the evening, university students will be studying inside, thanks to the solar-powered electricity and wifi. All great stuff. But the primary purpose of the Centre – to prevent HIV/Aids and provide testing and counselling for the youth of the area – is also being pursued constantly, in the background.

Now in its 25th year, this sensitive work is more vital than ever. The Ekwendeni area has seen a strong population influx in recent years. Farming families have moved up from the south of country to escape the frequent flooding that has become the norm there, and the university campus in Ekwendeni is attracting more and more students to the area. The changes that have come with this influx have unfortunately made Ekwendeni a local hotspot for new HIV infections.

But the Resource Centre is fighting back. It is continuing to make a huge difference in young people’s lives, encouraging safe and healthy lifestyles and providing counselling on HIV/Aids as well as other critical issues such as gender violence and child marriage. Importantly, any young person can use the Centre’s HIV testing services, avoiding the stigma associated with a visit to the neighbouring hospital’s HIV test centre. The Centre works with 64 youth clubs in surrounding villages and organises regular outreach programs to spread its messages through music, dance and drama. This innovative approach of integrating HIV prevention into a wide range of youth-focused activities has made the Centre a model for others that have been set up in the country.

The Church of Scotland Geneva has partnered with the Ekwendeni Resource Centre from the start, having funded its construction 25 years ago and sustained its activities since then. Our partnership has been nurtured through exchange visits that have helped develop our relationship beyond simply a financial one. We feel very privileged to be able to play our part in the success of the Centre.

As we celebrate together 25 years of the Centre’s achievements, we would like to extend an invitation to other individuals or congregations that may be interested in joining the support for this work, either on a one-off or regular basis. It is hugely rewarding to participate in this initiative that has touched thousands of young lives. Anyone who would like to learn more about how to get involved can contact jennifer.rietbergen@gmail.com.