Empowering HIV Positive Youth to Lead, Support, and Inspire Their Peers
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.
Building Peer Leaders
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CATS Project and who does it serve?
The CATS project is a health project that 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.
How does the CATS Project help with HIV treatment adherence?
The CATS project is led by primarily 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. All these services contribute to Adherence.
Which health facilities partner with Dream Village for CATS?
The following health facilities partner with Dream Village Kabuga, Remera, Kinyinya, Kacyiru, Kicukiro, Gikondo, Rwampara, Biryogo, Kabusunzu, CorUnum, Nyarugunga and Gahanga.
Can adolescents become peer supporters through the project?
Yes, Adolescents can become peer educators through the project after undergoing mentorship and capacity development by the organisation in collaboration with the ministry of health.
