Moving on Club

These pictures were taken at the Moving on Post-Test Center (PTC) in Epworth, a high density community outside Harare, Zimbabwe. On a Saturday afternoon in December the boisterous crowd of approximately 250 people at the center had spilled out of the building into the yard. Using a loudspeaker, several people chose to disclose their HIV status—a huge step in destigmatizing the disease. Earlier in the day (without benefit of microphone), two policemen who were engaged in crowd control elected to disclose their positive status. Mothers and teenagers (both boys and girls) disclosed their status as well, while about a dozen orphans looked on. Original songs and skits advised people how to remain HIV negative. In the midst of the entertainment and education, a dozen women waited for counseling.

In addition to education and community-based solidarity, clients of the PTC receive referrals for medical care, legal advice and counseling. In the midst of Zimbabwe's famine, other referrals are for food aid in the community.

Those wearing the white t-shirts have taken the test and are "moving on." Every week community members come together for information and entertainment relating to HIV/AIDS and living positively. Participants need only have taken the HIV test; their HIV status is irrelevant.

The children standing near the tree are AIDS orphans.