Umunthu Plus, a non-governmental organisation, has provided loans to people living with HIV and sex workers in Traditional Authority Chilooko in Ntchisi District.

Speaking during the presentation of the loans, the organisation’s project coordinator Mwabi Chirwa said people living with HIV as well as sex workers were facing many challenges in their day-to-day lives.

“We want to improve the socio-economic situation of persons living with HIV as well as sex workers,” she said.

Mwabi speaks to the women during the meeting

Chirwa said they want to enhance the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and sexual and reproductive health services among persons living with HIV and sex workers.

She urged the beneficiaries to use the loans to start small-scale businesses.

One of the beneficiaries, Nesimu Kadzanja, from Mthawira Support Group, said they had no capital to start businesses.

“Through businesses, we will be able to support our families with basic needs,” she said.

Mthawira and St Paul’s support groups received K600 000 and K500 000 while the sex workers got K400 000.

Umunthu Plus is implementing a Reaching Underserved Communities with PMTCT and Sexual Reproductive Health Project in the district.

The project, which started in 2020 and will end in 2023, seeks to support people living with HIV and sex workers.

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