YEI engages communities in discussing effective prevention of and care for HIV/AIDS through 
Since 2004, more than 5,000 people have enlisted in free HIV counseling and testing services offered by YEI. In 2008 alone, 1,833 people (837 male, 996 female) tested for HIV, 42 youth living with HIV joined our post-test club sensitization teams, 600 HIV-infected and affected youth attended vocational trainings and received basic HIV prevention education, and three youth living with HIV joined our anti-stigma radio program campaigns.
My husband died 13 years ago and left me with five children. We did not know which disease killed him but some people said it was AIDS. I did not believe it because my husband did not have a second wife and back then HIV was only associated with prostitutes.
But after three years I also became weak and I tested positive for HIV. People who learned of my condition avoided and feared me. I wanted to resort to suicide. Shortly after being hospitalized, I went to YEI to receive couseling and was advised to have my children tested for HIV. One of my children was found positive and the two of us started on ARVs. I am now volunteering with YEI and I feel healthy.
With support from YEI, I feel free to share my story, and yes, my story has encouraged many more people to get tested.
