Here the work supported by HIV grants (and in future integrating TB services, under NFM concept note) is overseen by FDC or Foundation for Community Development, an ‘indigenous’ NGO founded by former first lady Graça Machel. The organization as well as all of its sub-recipients are a rare example of entirely civil society and national implementing partners; no international agencies or INGOs. Also evident is that these civil society organizations are well integrated with MOH health institutions – the both refer and work within health centers and hospitals.
All programs rely on ‘Activistas’ and Activista supervisors to do prevention and sensitization outreach, including providing informational materials, demonstrations, male and female condoms and referrals for counselling and testing at a health center. In some instances Activistas also work at the health centers, collaborating with Ministry of Health employees to do the counselling and testing.
At the offices of UNIDOS, we meet an activista working with sex workers, Olivia Lazaro Timana.