Mai Aisha Sisters and Youth AIDS Programme (MASYAP) was established in 2008 with the aim of civic-educating Muslim women and youths on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and providing care to those infected by the virus. Since then, MASYAP has become the Muslim-led organisation that has gained prominence in Malawi for championing HIV/AIDS-related issues.
Muslim women and youths who have been infected by the virus have been socially and economically marginalized due to the stigma of the disease and its devastating effects. In view of this, MASYAP has developed interventions that are aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of the disease by addressing the social-economic as well as the health needs of these women and youths through HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC), Home Based Care, nutrition services, and economic empowerment interventions.
MASYAP wishes to actively and collectively join the efforts to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS by improving knowledge, attitude, and practices around sexual behaviour and assist target groups in understanding how best to look after themselves if diagnosed with the virus. One of our distinguishing features is that we operate on a very low-cost model, benefiting from pro-bono professional advice. We deliver our interventions in the hearts of the community, thereby minimising transport and facility costs.