History

SHAPE International is a university-based non-profit organisation dedicated to improving health, preventing HIV and reducing the suffering of those living with AIDS.SHAPE is currently implementing its HIV intervention at the University of Zimbabwe, Africa University, Solusi University, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Masvingo State University and the Midlands State University; where we have opened offices and stationed officers. Our programme has been endorsed as a best practice model by COGENHA (Combined Oxfam) using a case study from Midlands State University. We are in the process of replicating our programme in Southern Africa starting with Botswana and Mozambique in our first phase of regional expansion. SHAPE was first founded as SHAPE Zimbabwe Trust in May 2000 by Shepstone Musiyarira and other university graduates namely Tsitsi Masvaure, Naboth Tinarwo, Gerald Ncube, Patricia Zhou, Kholwane Mangena, Rodgers Musiyarira, Aggrey Musiyarira, Nyarai Tavugara-Mpofu, Tapiwa Gavaza and Tafadzwa Mukoi with the aim of implementing student activities geared towards Gender, HIV prevention and health promotion. Since then SHAPE has grown to include a board of trustees led by Prof Lucie Malaba and full time staff.

SHAPE is an acronym standing for:

S – Sustainability: this refers to the concept behind all our interventions; we strive to ensure that projects are sustainable and can be continued after the project cycle has come to an end.

H – Hope: at SHAPE a factor underlying all our programmes is the need to instil hope in the community. Hope for all those living positively that being HIV positive does not mean the end of life. We also wish to instil hope for a future generation, which is HIV free through prevention efforts.

A – Action: Our interventions are action-orientated, allowing students the opportunity to decide their own activities and implement them.

P- Prevention: Our interventions seek primarily to prevent the spread of HIV infection, although aspects of care and support have been integrated into our projects.

E – Education: Our interventions include and aspect of edutainment, that encourages learning through responsible fun.