With the goal of improving access to quality HIV
prevention services, including voluntary counseling and testing, the HIV/AIDS Twinning Center has established a south-south partnership linking Tebelepole VCT in Botswana with Kenya-based
Liverpool VCT.
The overall goal of the partnership is to strengthen the capacity of Tebelepole to provide quality HIV counseling and testing programs in Botswana.
Specifically, partners are working to:
- Improve organizational capacity as a means of
making HIV counseling, testing, prevention, care, and support services more readily available to
children and adults;
- Strengthen organizational capacity and quality of service by developing and implementing a quality assurance program;
- Develop a comprehensive Supportive Counseling Program; and
- Share experiences of Liverpool VCT
regarding implementation of an organizational
capacity building program for CBOs.
This partnership is working closely with a second, very similar VCT partnership that pairs the Botswana Christian AIDS
Intervention Program (BOCAIP) with the AIDS Support Organization in Uganda (TASO).
To date, partners have conducted three professional exchanges, including an exchange to provide training and mentoring to Tebelopele VCT and BOCAIP on the establishment of post-test clubs.
Partners have focused on developing post-test protocols and procedures, including a proper exit strategy for clients and improved linkages to
existing support services. They have also developed informational materials for clients.
Upcoming activities include trainings on child and youth counseling and supervision training to improve quality assurance in program services.