Zambia is the seventh worst HIV/AIDS affected country in the world, so badly affected that since 1980, life expectancy has dropped to 39. Impact was invited by the First Lady of Zambia in February of 2005 to mobilise a global project team to develop the capacity of emerging NGO leaders fighting HIV/AIDS.

"My Office was delighted to partner with the people of Impact to co-create and deliver this exciting initiative for leaders fighting HIV/AIDS in Zambia."

Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa  
First Lady of the Republic of Zambia

Solution

In response, Impact co-designed the Zambia HIV/AIDS Leadership Forum, a radical programme committed to inspiring leadership action to overcome HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Selected by a Zambian Steering Group, each Cohort comprised organisations representing the entire spectrum of HIV/AIDS activities within one of Zambia’s nine Provinces. Over an intensive four-week programme each member was personally coached by Impact Learning Partners, joined an experiential Leadership Retreat, completed a Community Action Project demonstrating their Leadership in Action, presented their leadership commitments to an international audience, and conducted their own Cohort Review in order to drive sustainable leadership action.

Result

A total of 48 organisations participated in the programme across two provinces. Testimonials reveal that it has sparked creative solutions, united organisations, galvanised local communities ,and captured national interest.

The outcomes included:
• Life-saving actions of Forum members
• An increase in the provision of HIV/AIDS services
• Growth in the number of people under care
• Construction of new facilities and premises

The programme has introduced an entirely new approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia. The model of leadership development created by Impact has far reaching potential for unleashing talent and inspiring positive change.

"I wish we could get everybody in Zambia to do the programme. Zambia would change. I think poverty and AIDS would go down."

Patrick Mweshi 
Community Youth Concern

Please click here to read inspiring stories of those who took part.

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