Nayorg gets Unicef funding for youth against Aids

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Sinetre stressing a point

A Balaka-based youth organization, Nkhadze Alive Youth Organization (Nayorg), has expressed concern the increasing number of teenagers engaging in commercial sex work in the district and has since secured K3.9m from United Nation Children Fund (Unicef) for fighting minor prostitution, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and Aids among the youth.

Balaka is one of the districts in the country where commercial sex work is on the higher side and there are fears that this may contribute to the increase in the number of people being infected with human immuno-virus (HIV).

Nayorg executive director Charles Sinetre explained on Monday that in their phase two of Unicef-funded projects, his organization intends to use music, art and performances as tools for disseminating information to the youth on the dangers of HIV and Aids in Machinga, Balaka, Mangochi and Ntcheu districts.

Sinetre said his organization was worried with the rising number of teenage girls currently trading in sex at Balaka, Ntcheu and other districts. He attributed the problem to lack of knowledge on the dangers of premarital and commercial sex.

“As a youth-based organization, Nayorg believes we can’t achieve an HIV/Aids-free nation we don’t protect these young from infections. And how can we protect? We’ve to raise awareness on the dangers of the disease and empower them with skills necessary for fighting HIV/Aids and STIs from the beginning,” said Sinetre.

Dubbed “Young People against HIV and Aids”, Sinetre explained that the programme is targeting youths from the four districts with messages on HIV/Aids, positive living and prevention and nutrition.

“Basically, we want them to abstain from premarital sex,” he added.

Sinetre explained that in the third phase of the programme, the organization intends to do these activities in 10 secondary schools from the eastern region.

The Nayorg director applauded Unicef for the assistance saying it will bring a big difference to the lives of vulnerable youths in Balaka.

END