Phyllis is a young woman 25 years of age who was born with HIV. She was among young people who were selected and trained with Africaid Zvandiri in Zimbabwe, to become Community Adolescent Treatment Supporter C.A.T.S where she demonstrated her passion and capacity as a strong role model for her peers ensuring that her peers did not face delays in accessing HIV testing or being initiated on ART; and that they were then linked in to community OVC services.
She became DREAMS Ambassador owing to her drive and commitment in advocating for the needs of adolescent girls and young women living with HIV. Phyllis was recruited by Africaid as a Zvandiri intern and rose to be a Zvandiri Mentor early 2018 where she was responsible for supporting the implementation of the National case management system for Orphans and Vulnerable children O.V.C working with the Department of Social Welfare in Zimbabwe to identify and respond to children and adolescents facing child protection violations, and in need of O.V.C services or those facing gaps in accessing HIV treatment and care.
Phyllis has been participating in the current series of World Health Organisation country level Pediatric and Adolescent H.I.V TWG meetings conducted in 22 AIDS-Free priority countries where she has shared her experiences as a child growing up with HIV and the critical need for integrated OVC and clinic based services. She is currently studying towards a BSc in Psychology at the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.
