Assess the role of a specific NGO in a developmental programme.

3. An Assessment of GALZ’s role in development Programme.

3.1 HIV Prevention Project for MSM/WSW

As indicated before, one of the most important roless of GALZ is to assure the health and well-being of the LGBTI community in Zimbabwe. The overall goal of the HIV Prevention Project is to make a contribution to the reduction of sexually transmitted diseases transmission among MSM/WSW around Zimbabwe who seek help from the organisation or have been identified as people who need help.

GALZ Annual Report 2012 states that, “The organisation has seen a large number of young men and women between the ages of 18 to 24 joining the GALZ. In 2011, 200 young MSM joined the organisation in addition to the 400 MSM whom we are in constant communication with.” Interviews with the Director of GALZ revealed that an increase in people joining the organisation was attributed to the focus of the media on Homosexuality during the drafting of Zimbabwe’s New Constitution, an activity that GALZ participated in and also made a submission to the organising committee. This publicity although often negative is said to have substantially raised interest from the public and THE LGBTI community to support and petition sexual orientation inclusion in the constitution.

In this regard GALZ’s role was to strengthen its Health programme to reach more people especially the youth. In 2013 GALZ reported that 78% of youth members are sexually active. Therefore it was important for the organisation to provide information and protective barrier methods at social venues for young people. A total of 300 MSM where reached in eight sites. These men were equipped with knowledge and advice on how to protect themselves and their partners from various diseases. In addition 54 of...

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...United Family International Church and other Pentecostal churches which refused to interact with GALZ and thus, reversed the effect. The leader of the Church was quoted saying, “Homosexuals are mentally deranged people whom God has surrendered to their malfunctioning minds.” (Speechlog Africa, 2014) and "Now they are passing laws to support homosexuality, defending their reprobate minds. You can’t even advise them against it, they can even arrest you for that.” (New Zimbabwe, 2014).

It would be unfair to declare that GALZ has failed in its role to support females of various sexual orientations. In a government were liberalism is frowned upon and political and religious leaders take a stand to publicly shame the LGBTI community stating that they are mentally sick or possessed by demons trying to empower anyone to accept themselves as they are is a great challenge.