Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters Project (CATS)

Dream Village provides a package of differentiated services for children, Adolescents and young people living with HIV so that they know, understand, accept their HIV status; that they start and remain on Antiretroviral treatment with understanding and confidence; that they remain engaged in treatment, care and support services and that they feel cared for, understood, supported and valued. Services are primarily led by trained, mentored Adolescents and young people known as Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters or ‘CATS’. CATS provide information, counselling and support for other children, Adolescents and young people living with HIV (0-27 years) through home visits, clinic visits, and support groups. Services are fully integrated within national systems and service delivery across the HIV care cascade. CATS also follow up on the mental health needs and other social physiological needs of children and young people, trainings for care givers and parents, identification of talents and other needs of children and young people like access to formal and skill education. The project is implemented in 12 health facilities namely Kabuga, Remera, Kinyinya, Kacyiru, Kicukiro, Gikondo, Rwampara, Biryogo, Kabusunzu, CorUnum, Nyarugunga and Gahanga.