World Education

We are thrilled to announce the launch of The Bantwana Regional Network! The Network brings together The Bantwana Initiative national teams in #Zimbabwe, #Eswatini, and #Uganda to expand their impact in the sub-Saharan region while maintaining the Bantwana brand. The Bantwana Initiative developed out of World Education’s Africa portfolio in 2006 to fill gaps in services for #HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children #OVC. Over the last 20 years, it has developed strong relationships and reached hundreds of thousands annually with holistic health and education services. World Education and the Bantwana Initiative move forward separately, but with a lasting relationship. https://lnkd.in/gR4xFF4Q #LocalRootsGlobalImpact Bantwana Initiative Eswatini Bantwana Initiative Uganda Bantwana Zimbabwe

This month, we're celebrating the launch of the Bantwana Regional Network and honoring #WorldAIDSDay by exploring what the HIV response needs to be successful now and into the future. See all these updates and resources in one place by checking out our newsletter ⬇️

“To create a sustainable HIV response, we must consider how our actions now will lay the groundwork for a long-term future in which AIDS is no longer a global health and economic threat.” Experts from JSI respond to the UNAIDS #HIV response sustainability roadmap, sharing actions the global HIV community can take to make long-term impact. Local leadership in the HIV response is key to sustainability. We have invested in community-based HIV response for decades. Now, our HIV initiative is a fully locally led, independent network:  https://lnkd.in/gR4xFF4Q #LocalRootsGlobalImpact

As Bantwana Initiative teams have shifted to become an independent, local entity, they have continued to support locally led solutions. In #Uganda, Bantwana worked with seven Ugandan organizations over two years to prepare them to become direct USAID funding recipients. In #Zimbabwe, it builds institutional capacity for local organizations to receive direct funding, including the first local NGOs in Zimbabwe to receive funding from USAID. As a Regional Network, Bantwana will continue directing resources to communities and organizations at the ground level across sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring sustainability of interventions.

Shared challenges, shared solutions. For years, Bantwana Initiative teams in #Zimbabwe, #Eswatini, and #Uganda have identified common challenges and pooled their knowledge and resources to ensure strong, coordinated responses. Models and systems developed in one country have been scaled across the region, such as the Siyakha Girls model and national case management systems, using the experience of Bantwana teams. The Bantwana Regional Network will facilitate more coordination and allow for continued innovation and multi-country programming throughout sub-Saharan Africa. #LocalRootsGlobalImpact

We’re continuing our celebration of the newly launched Bantwana Regional Network! Since its founding, the Bantwana Initiative has supported locally led solutions. After ten years of working with communities and groups in sub-Saharan Africa on the frontline of the #HIV epidemic, founder Gill Garb set out to bolster grassroots efforts by channeling funding and providing technical support. In line with its founding vision, Bantwana teams in #Zimbabwe, #Eswatini, and #Uganda shifted to independent organizations. Over the last 20 years, we have worked to build a strong foundation for this Regional Network, which moves forward as a fully independent, local entity to continue the Bantwana mission. See our history: https://brnw.ch/21wPrzo #LocalRootsGlobalImpact

Meet The Bantwana Regional Network! Bantwana has worked in Eswatini for 19 years, implementing #HIV and #OVC programming. In 2021, Bantwana Eswatini became a local, independent organization and continues to grow and support the needs of communities. Since 2008, Bantwana has created and incubated several service delivery models in #Zimbabwe that have been scaled nationally and regionally, from #HIV case management to economic empowerment for young women. Bantwana Initiative #Uganda became an independent organization in 2023, after 22 years of enhancing service delivery and engaging communities in education. They are well-known for using community-centered approaches to achieve results. Learn more: bantwana.org Bantwana Zimbabwe Bantwana Initiative Eswatini Bantwana Initiative Uganda #LocalRootsGlobalImpact

If you want to go far, go together. Through the Bantwana Regional Network, Bantwana Zimbabwe, Bantwana Eswatini, and Bantwana Initiative Uganda envision a strong, coordinated movement throughout Africa to improve learning, increase access to #healthcare, and build sustainable #livelihoods. Susan Kajura, Director of Bantwana Initiative Uganda, shares the importance of working together to address similar challenges and create a bolder, brighter future. #LocalRootsGlobalImpact

JSI and World Education celebrate the Bantwana Regional Network launch and our Bantwana Initiative's accomplishments! We are excited for the future of the Network as they continue building relationships and growing their innovative, community-based health, education, and social protection interventions across eastern and southern Africa. We look forward to continuing our partnership and remain committed to advancing #HIVPrevention and response worldwide. #LocalRootsGlobalImpact #GlobalHealth #GlobalEducation

Education does not only teach people to read and write. It can also be an opportunity to build skills and values that translate into the community to make it a better and safer place. In communities in #Mozambique, the USAID SABER program team is raising awareness of gender-based violence (GBV), starting dialogue on how it impacts communities and schools, and highlighting the need for all stakeholders to take action. During the #16Days of Activism Against GBV, the program is sharing #GBV prevention messaging with parents, teachers, and community leaders through social media, podcasts, and lectures. In one community, primary school teacher, Assifo, pointed out the need to integrate gender equality into the school curriculum. “We must educate [students] on respect and empathy, so that they grow up with solid values,” he said. School council president, Catarina, stressed the crucial role of parents in shaping attitudes that reject violence. “Schools are a space for change, but we cannot act alone. We need to involve parents, because children learn by example. If we want a society free from violence, the example must start at home.” #StoptheViolence