Capacity building

Since VSO-RAISA's inception, we have sought to work with key stakeholders in the area of HIV/AIDS to build capacity and increase ability to serve beneficiaries. Thanks to our regional approach, the VSO-RAISA programme's capacity building efforts are wide-reaching. Part of these efforts include a training programme which takes a training of trainers approach HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support: A Training Package for Community Volunteers is a programme developed by IFRC, SAfAIDS and WHO, which was rolled out across all VSO-RAISA countries. Our training has so far reached several hundred community-based volunteers as well as the staff of partner organisations across six countries in the first year of RAISA III's (2009-2013) implementation.

A key aspect of our capacity building efforts, unique to VSO and RAISA, is the use of skilled volunteers. The catalytic nature of our volunteers' work was highlighted as an aspect of our work particularly appreciated by partners in a review of the first phase of the project. The 'impressive volume of [volunteer] placement reports and the ongoing development of tools and approaches within the RAISA programme [which] show the depth of learning that takes place' was noted in the review (PSO/DfID Output to Purpose Review of VSO-RAISA, May 2003).

In March 2011 there were 79 long-term international volunteers placed with RAISA partners, equating to a commitment of 948 volunteer-months of support.