When AIDS first emerged as a disease over two decades ago, few people could have predicted how the epidemic would evolve, and even fewer people could have described with any certainty the best ways of combating it. Now in the year 2003, it is known from experience that AIDS can devastate whole regions, knock decades of National development, widen gaps between rich and poor nations and push already –stigmatized groups closer to the margins of society.

Just as clearly, experience shows that the right approaches, applied quickly enough, with courage and resolve, can do result in lower HIV infection rates and less suffering for those affected by the epidemic. An ever growing AIDS epidemic, is not inevitable; yet unless action against the scourge is scaled up drastically, the damage already done will seem minor compared with what lies ahead. This may sound dramatic but it is hard to play down the effects of a disease that stands to kill more than half of the young adults in countries where it has its firmest hold. Kenya is one such country.

Any efforts toward empowering the youth must however strive to address the myriad predicaments that negate the positive steps toward youth development. No interventions geared towards youth development can be complete without addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS pandemic. Youth are not able to fully comprehend the extent of their exposure to risk. Societies often compound young people’s risk by making it difficult for them to learn about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. Moreover many youth are socially inexperienced and dependent on others; peer pressures easily influence them often in ways that increase their risk.

Focus International-Kenya has developed "Focus Club" a community youth alliance Project that has embarked on a program to produce a platform for the youth to address AIDS related issues. The objective of the Club is to enroll as many young people as possible into the club, educate them on the size, scope and impact of HIV/AIDS and to help them educate others as well. The program targets High school youth, Poor and Unemployed youth, HIV positive youth, Youth from AIDS affected families and working youth. The club focuses on providing holistic support and opportunities for the youth, using a youth oriented strategy that attempts to meet the needs young people themselves identify.

Focus International has launched "Focus Club" in 20 High schools in Kenya developed a Sports Train program aimed at increasing the knowledge and skills of young Kenyan athletes, in the area of sexual health with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS. Currently we have adopted the "youth livelihood approach" to HIV/AIDS prevention as a strategy for combating HIV/AIDS. Helping young people avoid HIV/AIDS requires also helping them improve the socio-economic conditions that place them at risk. A livelihood is everything people know, have and do to make a living. Applied to "Focus Club" the youth livelihood approach comprises of initiatives seeking to avoid the conditions that promote the spread of HIV and efforts that improve the economic circumstances of the youth. These include:

• Helping youth find employment and other income earning opportunities;
• Providing credit and other financial help for Job Training, Job Placement and learning business development skills
• Developing institutions, alliances and networks that improve the economic skills of youth;
• Promoting policy and social changes that improve young peoples lives.

As part of the youth livelihood approach to HIV prevention Focus International-Kenya, intends to establish a Business Empowerment, Job Training Placement Center, for "Focus Club" Members. When you Join "Focus Club" you automatically become a member of a focused society, determined to save the youth generation from imminent extinction. It does not matter how young or old you are, as long as you are young at heart, and believe that HIV/AIDS is a danger to the future of this generation, you have a role to play in focusing the global youth community. Join the Focus Club now! Contact us now.

Peter Kimani Kamau

Executive Director

Focus International-Kenya