Since 2011, Camp Hope Malawi has offered a residential summer camp oasis to youth living with HIV. Camp Hope is a psychosocial intervention designed to address barriers commonly faced by youth living with HIV: stigma, a positive outlook on the future, adherence to medication, and a commitment to attending all medical appointments.
When COVID-19 hit Malawi, we were forced to cancel the in-person aspects of Camp Hope. But we are determined not to let that stop us from reaching campers. So, starting this month, we are offering a virtual “Hope at Home” program designed to replicate the camp experience and its impact to the highest degree possible.
Hope at Home will expose campers to all of the activities typically offered at the residential camp such as arts & crafts, cooking demonstrations, singing & dancing, dramas, and games. In Hope at Home, campers will borrow smartphones so they can view and participate in sessions. Sessions will be delivered by the same qualified personnel who conduct the annual residential camps including medical experts, nutrition experts, programming experts, and activity mentors. This year, sessions will not only include topics of concern to those living with HIV but will also tackle COVID-19. Hope at Home will not only eliminate the risk of exposing campers to COVID-19 from camp activities, but will also be a new avenue for information dissemination regarding COVID-19 prevention and awareness for those who are most vulnerable (immunocompromised individuals) in rural areas.
Hope at Home aims to have the same impact as the residential Camp Hope including increased self-confidence, more positive outlook on the future, increased understanding of medication adherence, and a stronger understanding of balanced nutrition. With monitoring strategies in place, Hope at Home will be run as a pilot for the month of October. It will be evaluated to determine the level of impact and, if monitoring indicates a need, may be tweaked to increase impact before continuing the program in November and December. Additional funds raised during the pilot month will allow more youth to join before the end of the year.
We are looking forward to connecting with our first cohort of virtual campers through Hope at Home - please stay tuned for regular updates as we proceed with this exciting new initiative!