Nkhatabay, Malawi - At the age of 25, Jacob (not real name) from Lisambi, Chintheche in Nkhatabay, tested positive for HIV. He later joined the Y+ group, a network for young people living with HIV (YPLHIV), inspired by his friends.

“I joined because of my friends, who are members of M’sumba Youth Club here in Lisambi,” Jacob recounts. “They used to visit me after hearing rumours about my status, sharing what they learned at the club.”

Encouraged by their support, Jacob joined the youth club and, through it, connected to the Y+ group. He remembers the warm welcome and the facilitator’s reassuring words—that young people like him shouldn't look down on themselves because of their HIV status, but instead focus on what they can achieve.

“I learned that despite my status, I could do a lot, including starting a business or farming, as long as I maintained my health and stayed on antiretroviral therapy (ARVs),” he says.

Jacob was later selected among a group of young people to participate in the iCAN training under the UNFPA SYP programme. The training focuses on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and aims to empower young people, including those living with HIV with SRH information and services to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“At the training, I learned the value of business and decided to use the daily subsistence allowance I received to buy a clipper to start a barbershop,” Jacob explains.

Later, he went on to expand his barbershop business to include salon services, and the business has since transformed his life. No longer viewed through the lens of stigma, Jacob now attracts customers who interact with him positively.

People no longer discriminate against me. Some even call me for opportunities—something that never happened before

He attributes this attitude change to the awareness campaigns run by the M’sumba Youth Club and his own outlook and knowledge gained through these initiatives and experience in the programme.

Twenty six year old Davie  from Chintheche, Nkhatabay, shares a similar story. Diagnosed in 2019 after frequent illnesses, Davie initially resisted joining youth clubs. However, he eventually joined the Y+ group and participated in UNFPA-supported activities through M’hoho M’sumba youth club.

 “I have been on antiretroviral therapy for five years now,” Davie explains.

His journey to empowerment, however, was not without challenges. On the day he was supposed to attend iCAN training, he was hospitalized. Despite missing the training, his friends shared what they learned at the training and inspired him to take action with the little money that he had.

 “Their advice pushed me to buy two clippers, a mirror, and a chair to start my barbershop,” Davie says.

With funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Norwegian Government, UNFPA's SYP program supports young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). The program provides comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in Y+ groups and youth clubs, empowering them to live healthy lives and reach their full potential.

The iCAN training program proved transformative for Jacob and Davie, leading them to establish a successful business. UNFPA's SYP program, which incorporates iCAN, continues to empower young people to live fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities, irrespective of their HIV status.

By Nicholas Phiri, Communications Consultant