UNAIDS, partner of the HFFG to improve the socio-economic status of young people and women

Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization from Ghana, has launched a project to improve the socio-economic status of young people and women.

The project, which aims to create businesses for the target group, is being undertaken with the support of the UNAIDS Solidarity Fund.

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Tuesday, project coordinator Catherine Bentum-Williams said the initiative is being piloted in five countries, including Brazil and Madagascar.

“Due to COVID, we realized that many young people and women are struggling to cope financially. Therefore, UNAIDS created the solidarity fund so that businesses can be created for these people to support themselves, ”he said.

“We are doing this so that even without COVID, these people can survive. We are piloting this project in Ghana, India, Brazil, Uganda and Madagascar, ”added Ms. Bentum-Williams.

She also indicated that the project will be expanded in January.

Seven people have benefited from the project so far. Three are involved in fashion design and four have ventured into agriculture. These people mobilized others to join them in their respective companies.

Hope for Future Generations Executive Director Ms. Cecilia Lodonu-Senoo assured beneficiaries of her continued support.

“The support we give them takes the form of encouragement. We provide a lot of technical support. We cannot cost the in-kind support we give them, but the resources for the project amount to approximately $ 150,000 in the form of cash support from UNAIDS, ”she said.

She added that the organization is determined to keep the project running for at least ten years.

“It’s a journey for Hope for Future Generations. Our expectation is to continue on this path so that many more young people benefit from it, in particular women. It’s part of our strategic plan, ”added Cecilia Lodonu-Senoo.

Meanwhile, UNAIDS Country Director Angela Trenton-Mbonde explained that her organization is spearheading the project as the socio-economic status of people living with HIV is also affected by the pandemic.

“People living with HIV are people who are also affected by COVID. They need access to resources. If they are also involved in this project, that would help. It is also members of the community who would benefit, ”she said.

While stressing that UNAIDS is not a donor agency, Trenton-Mbonde said they are committed to raising funds to ensure the continuity of the project.

“Funding is never really an issue. All you need is a successful initiative. UNAIDS is not a donor, but UNAIDS has a great capacity to mobilize and mobilize funds. When we show the success of what we started, we know we will get the funding, ”she hinted.

Some of the beneficiaries at the launch expressed their gratitude to UNAIDS and Hope for Future Generations for this initiative.

They called for more support to enable them to employ more people in their respective businesses.