Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE)
Investigators: Tanya Abramsky, BA, MSc Joanna Busza, MSc, John Gear, James Hargreaves, PhD, Julia Kim, MSc, FRCP, Mzamani Benjamin Makhubele, MA, Kalipe Mashaba, Linda Morison, MA, Matshilo Motsei, Luceth Ndhlovu, MPH, Chris Peters, Godfrey Phetla, MA, John Porter, MD, MPH, Paul Pronyk, PhD, FRCP, & Charlotte Watts, PhD

IMAGE is comprised of a gender and HIV training curriculum called Sisters-for-Life. A microfinance program augments the curriculum. For the microfinance component, groups of five women receive loans to establish small businesses. Further credit is offered when all women in these solidarity groups repay their loans. Loan centers of approximately 40 women meet fortnightly.

Sisters-for-Life consists of two phases. Phase I is a structured series of 10 one-hour participatory training sessions that are integrated into the Loan Center meetings. Phase II moves the participants toward collective action. Natural Leaders are elected by their peers to participate in a one-week training workshop on leadership and community mobilization. Taking these skills back to their respective loan centers, these Leaders are responsible for developing an Action Plan, with the aim of implementing what they regard as appropriate responses to priority issues.

Materials in this program package are licensed for use in one implementation site. All materials are copyrighted and may not be copied or distributed. If you would like to order additional materials or program packages, please contact: Laurie Rose, Director of Customer Support, Email: lrose@socio.com Phone: 650-383-6253.