This is a new activity for this partner and is funded through Field Support. This AB activity is related to USAID_HVAB_Activity #8226, the Food for the Hungry Track One funded activity for $613,480.

This new mission funded activity will allow Track One AB Partner Food for the Hungry to: 1) expand its current ABY "Healthy Choices" program for youth, adults and higher risk individuals into Beira district in Sofala province with AB prevention activities focused on transactional sex, cross generational sex and mutual faithfulness/reduction of multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships;

2) intensify activities aimed at older youth, adult and higher risk population behavior change in Caia district, site of the new Zambezi Bridge construction project in Sofala province, with a focus on B prevention activities focused on transactional sex, cross generational sex and mutual faithfulness/reduction of multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships; and

3) carry out a Holistic Community Assessment in Beira and Caia to assess the community's needs, especially among higher risk individuals.

1) Expansion into Beira districts This funding will allow FFHI to expand Healthy Choices into communities in this high-prevalence, urban district currently reached by only one other USG AB partner. As in its existing program under Track One, FFHI would target unmarried youth, ages 10-24, for inclusion in the new Beira cohort. Using the "Choose Life" manual, programs will be established in conjunction with formation of Youth to Youth Peer Education groups to equip them to make informed, healthy choices about their futures, education and sexual life and life skills to practice and support these choices. These groups create a supportive forum for youth to discuss issues of sexuality, HIV and other STIs, abstinence until marriage, secondary abstinence and faithfulness in committed relationships. FFHI will also simultaneously begin "B" focused behavior change activities for single, as well as married, older youth, adults and high risk individuals. Authorization from the NAC Provincial nucleo will be sought before this expansion begins. In planning for expansion, Food for the Hungry will work in cooperation with World Relief's Mobilizing Youth for Life AB program to ensure there is no overlap of AB programs in Beira district communities.

2) Caia district response to Zambezi Bridge Construction project FFH is currently reaching over 90% of all unmarried, 10-24 year old youth in Caia district with its Healthy Choices AB program funded under Track One. Caia district is the site for the new Zambezi Bridge construction project, estimated for completion in 2009, and site of the February 2007 flood disaster. Projected studies from Save the Children UK warn of threats of increased child prostitution, rape and other sexual abuse linked to the influx of mobile workers in rural, impoverished districts. Caia district is currently part of the Transport Corridor due to its location on the national highway and ferry service across the Zambezi river. "Barracas", the informal and privately managed businesses of sleeping quarters, stores and bars along the river and near the construction, have helped to create a "culture of sexual abuse and exploitation in the form of child prostitution, as well as wide spread child labor and incidents of physical abuse" in the river crossing area. HIV prevalence in Caia is above 20%. FFHI proposes to respond to these threats by reinforcing and complementing its existing, Track One funded program by introducing older youth and adult focused activities under this Field Support funding. FFHI will intensify "B" focused behavior change activities aimed at increasing personal risk perception among single, as well as married, older youth, adults and high risk individuals such as those involved with the bridge construction, ferry service , local law enforcement and barraca owners. Activities will focus on increasing self-perception of individual risk among these populations and will address sexual exploitation and abuse and transactional and trans-generational sex. Counselors from local Counseling and Testing centers will be invited to share information with the youth groups and will emphasize the importance of knowing one's status in relation to prevention through mutual fidelity.

3) Holistic Community Assessment in Beira and Caia This funding will allow FFHI to conduct a baseline holisitic community assessment and Barrier Analysis in Beira and Caia, similar to assessment already conducted in districts

where Healthy Choices is already being implemented.

The main emphasis area is Community Mobilization/Participation. Key legislative issues addressed are Gender (Reducing Violence and Coercion) and Stigma. Particular focus will be given to respond to social norms that increase young girls' vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The program aims to decrease fear and stigma as youth learn about the importance of knowing one's status and see testing as a normal health care activity. Youth will also be made aware that people with HIV can still be productive members of the community and live long healthy lives. Target populations for this program include: Children and Youth (Girls, Boys, Primary and Secondary Students), Men, Women, Community and Religious leaders, Business community/private sector, migrant workers, port and dock workers, truck drivers, out of school youth and community and faith based organizations.