OMUTHIYA - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) has through its InfoHut project handed over chickens to five young people living with HIV/AIDS to help them start poultry farming businesses.

Elcin’s eastern diocese youth leader Esther Sakaria said at the handing-over ceremony in Oniipa on Sunday that through the InfoHut project, they engage and equip young people and church leaders in life skills through the use of computers.

She added that they have also initiated the livelihood project, whereby young people are assisted with activities like gardening and poultry farming.

Sakaria said the InfoHut was started in 2018 to empower vulnerable groups, especially youths, with skills needed to reduce their vulnerability.

“Some of the areas covered are life skills, which includes sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, conflict management and resolution, and a computer driver’s license,” she noted.

The mission of the project is to create an environment conducive for the effective dissemination of information to the youth on HIV/AIDS, and simultaneously imparting information technology skills within communities.

Sakaria noted that southern Africa is facing a massive HIV/AIDS prevalence.

“We are all challenged to come up with effective ideas to eliminate the stigma and new HIV infections, as well as ensure an improved quality of life. If we do not collaborate to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, we will continue experiencing unprecedented human suffering and socio-economic hardships,” she continued.

- Nampa