In a remote village in Ebonyi State, Blessing, a 17-year-old girl, sits attentively with her peers under the shade of a mango tree. She listens as a community health tester explains the importance of HIV prevention and sexual health education. For Blessing, this outreach is not just another community event—it is a lifeline. “Before now, I didn’t know where to go for help or how to protect myself,” she says. “This program has taught me that my health and future matter.”
Blessing’s story echoes the experiences of thousands of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Ebonyi State, who face challenges such as limited access to health services, gender-based violence (GBV), teenage pregnancy, and stigma surrounding HIV. To address these barriers, Education as a Vaccine (EVA) has taken bold steps under the Global Fund Community and Private-Public-Mix Expansion in TB and HIV Prevention, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (N-THRIP) project.
Through a three-year grant, EVA Nigeria serves as a Sub-Recipient of the Global Fund N-THRIP project, with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria as the Principal Recipient. EVA is tasked with implementing interventions that mitigate HIV incidence, link AGYW living with HIV to care, and empower young people to make informed decisions about their health.
EVA operates in seven Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ohaukwu, Ezza South, Ezza North, Isielu, and Izzi. Using a community-centred approach, EVA provides HIV prevention services, strengthens school-health-community integration, and designs age-appropriate communication materials to break down stigma and foster behaviour change.
“We aim to reduce new HIV infections, address GBV, and improve retention in schools,” says the Program Officer for EVA Ebonyi. “Our work is grounded in empowering AGYW to take control of their futures.”
The success of EVA’s initiatives is best captured through the stories of those who have benefited. Take Chinenye, a 19-year-old secondary school student in Ezza South LGA. “I joined the social club in my school because I wanted to learn more about my rights and health,” she shares. Through the club, Chinenye accessed HIV testing services and learned how to advocate for herself and her peers. “Now, I help other girls understand the importance of prevention and standing up for themselves.”
In Ohaukwu LGA, EVA partnered with the Presbyterian Young People Association of Nigeria (PYPAN) to reach 552 AGYW in Ngbo Village. One participant, Ada, recalls how the outreach opened her eyes to the dangers of untreated STIs and the value of regular health checkups. “I used to be scared of going to the clinic, but the testers made me feel comfortable and safe,” she says. 
EVA’s work in 2024 has been nothing short of transformative.
- World AIDS Day 2024: Reached 3,696 young people with HIV literacy information, tested 1,800 AGYW for HIV, and distributed 7,776 condoms and lubricants.
- Quarter 3 Outreach: Partnered with local organizations to provide prevention services to over 9,500 AGYW and 1,042 ABYM, achieving 83% of the HIV Testing Services (HTS) target and 91% of the Young People (YP) target.
- Capacity Building: Conducted a 5-day training for community testers, enhancing their skills in HIV testing, counseling, and data management.
- Partnerships and Community Engagement: Collaborated with groups like the Global Youth Foundation and Scripture Union Camp, reaching thousands of young people with vital health information.
While the progress in 2024 is remarkable, EVA recognises the work ahead and plans to deepen community engagement, expand outreach programs, and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders.