On July 31, 2024, the launch event for the “E.Qu.A.S. Equity, Quality, Access to Health” project – AID 012596/02/3 – was held at the DREAM Center for Children in Maputo. The event was organized by the DREAM Program of the Community of Sant’Egidio in partnership with the Associação para o Direito aos Tratamentos Sanitários e de Luta Contra a Sida, Maputo Street Art, and PIRCOM.

The two-year project seeks to strengthen the health of vulnerable populations living with HIV by providing integrated and more equitable healthcare services in the catchment areas of 7 health centers (Manga Chingussura, Beira, Matola II, Machava, Zimpeto, Centro para Criança, Quelimane) located in the provinces of Maputo, Maputo City, Sofala, and Zambezia. Specifically, the initiative aims to engage and support adolescents and young people to improve their access to health services.

Over 400 adolescents and young women from the neighborhoods and outskirts of Maputo and Matola, patients of the DREAM Centers, and several local institutions attended the event. These included the health authorities of Maputo City, the National Council for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS, the Maputo City Health Department, Maputo Street Art, the Interreligious Platform for Health Communication (PIRCOM), the Italy-Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, and the project’s funder, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The Lazio basketball youth team delivered one of the most exciting performances of the event, energizing the atmosphere with spectacular plays and dynamic interactions. At the same time, the Youth for Peace group of the Sant’Egidio Community from Matola and Maputo enriched the event with poetry, singing, and dancing performances, bringing moments of joy and carefree enjoyment and helping to create a festive and engaging environment.

The enriching morning alternated between moments of animation and fun (sports, music, poetry, dance, and art) and conferences and interactive discussions on the main topics of the project, such as gender-based violence, the importance of increasing health access for all, and overcoming the stigma associated with people living with HIV. During the discussion, the youth raised questions about HIV/AIDS testing and expressed their concerns, fears, and needs, highlighting crucial issues such as prevention and the need for psychological support.

The initiative also provided the opportunity for screenings for diabetes and hypertension. Many people took tests for blood sugar and blood pressure, and some young people, in a private and confidential setting, underwent HIV testing.

During the activities, Ivan Muhambe, a representative from Maputo Street Art, presented the mural created for the project, emphasizing the importance of art as a means of communication and social inclusion. “The murals reflect the spirit of the Sant’Egidio Community, in welcoming and supporting everyone without discrimination, creating a bridge between those in need and healthcare providers in a very friendly way.”

The event, which lasted about 5 hours, was a true celebration full of joy and inspired many participants to join the “E.Qu.A.S.” movement under the motto “More Access and More Health,” with renewed enthusiasm and a desire to involve more friends in this important cause.