Thriving against the odds

Against the Odds: New AHF Wellness Center Launches in Kyiv

AHF offered free HIV and STI testing and distributed free condoms at the Wellness Center opening.

Amid ongoing war and instability, AHF Ukraine opened a new Wellness Center in Kyiv on June 5, providing free STI testing and treatment to a community facing strained access to care. This vital resource brings much-needed sexual health services to communities facing increasingly limited access due to the destruction and overwhelming demand placed on the country’s healthcare system.

A look inside the new AHF Wellness Center in Kyiv.

As hospitals and clinics across Ukraine struggle to remain operational, services related to sexual and reproductive health are often deprioritized. The new Wellness Center will not only help relieve pressure on existing health infrastructure but also empower individuals to take control of their sexual wellness—a critical but often overlooked need in humanitarian crises.

To mark the opening, AHF Ukraine held a press event with partners, healthcare providers, and media spotlighting the country’s STI surge and the urgent need for timely care. The event reached over 21 million people and included an opinion piece in a top national outlet: AIDS Testing: When Fear and Shame Are Stronger Than Symptoms.

“According to official figures, more than 30,000 cases of diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and HIV are registered in Ukraine every month," said Yaroslava Lopatina, AHF Ukraine Country Program Director. "Most of these cases are asymptomatic, meaning people are unaware they are infected and are therefore unknowingly putting themselves and others at risk. Our new centre in Kyiv is another step towards a healthier, more informed society. We are creating an environment where people can access help free of charge, in confidence and without fear of judgement.”

AHF's Dr. Yaroslava Lopatina and Dr. Oksana Tereshchenko were joined by representatives from Teenergizer community organization, and Department of HIV Treatment and Prevention of the National Center for Public Health during the media event.

With 90 Wellness Centers operating in 30 countries globally, AHF is scaling a proven model of accessible, community-based care. These centers serve as vital entry points to free sexual health services, reaching key populations, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and sex workers, in their communities and setting a global standard for inclusive, client-centered STI and HIV care.

AHF has operated and supported HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in Ukraine since 2009 and now serves over 91,700 clients.

Mariam Natadze: Breaking the Silence

GEORGIA

Mariam Natadze is AHF Georgia's Youth Friendly Center Coordinator. Her story is next in our "I Am AHF" series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what's right to save lives every day. Interviewed by Diana Shpak, Knowledge Management Focal Point, AHF Europe Bureau.

Mariam Natadze, a psychologist with over 20 years of experience, joined AHF Georgia one year ago as the Youth Friendly Center Coordinator and now leads the Global Youth Friendly Center.

Her work with vulnerable youth revealed how the absence of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education can lead to preventable harm—an insight that deeply shaped her commitment to this mission.

“The stigma ends when the conversation begins. If we want to break taboos around SRH, we must be brave enough to talk," said Natadze.

In Georgia’s conservative society, where open conversations about sexuality are often discouraged, Natadze sees education as a powerful tool for change. She joined AHF to help young people feel safe, informed, and respected, and to challenge the stigma and silence that dominate SRH discussions in schools and communities.

At the Youth Friendly Center, she leads interactive programs on SRH, HIV, and STIs, using creative approaches like art therapy and role play. By partnering with universities, she trains students to serve as peer educators, empowering both adolescents and future health leaders.

Leaders Unite to Tackle Period Poverty in Africa

Pictured: Dr. Nardos Berhanu, OAFLAD Executive Secretary. Click to watch webinar highlights on advancing menstrual health and HIV prevention.

In a powerful webinar co-hosted by AHF Africa and the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, leaders, youth advocates, and grassroots innovators came together to confront the crisis of period poverty in Africa.

The session, titled “Ending Period Poverty to Advance HIV Prevention and Gender Equality in Africa,” opened with remarks delivered on behalf of Her Excellency Fatima Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, by her Senior Technical Adviser, Momo Francis Turay. Keynote speaker Her Excellency Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union, called for community-led solutions to expand access to menstrual products and education.

More than 130 people attended the webinar, including youth leaders, policymakers, and health advocates.

A dynamic panel—including youth leaders, civil society voices, and representatives from the First Ladies’ offices of Zanzibar and Burundi, as well as the UN Education Plus initiative —underscored that period poverty is not only a matter of hygiene but a barrier to education, safety, and HIV prevention.

“Period poverty remains a silent crisis that robs millions of girls and women of their health, education, and freedom of social engagement and voice," said Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah. "Governments and institutions must budget for menstrual products and commit to undertaking integrated, community-led solutions—financing menstrual products, eliminating tax on them, providing free or subsidized access in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, and investing in local production to increase affordability and sustainability to reduce dependency on imports.”

Menstrual Health Day, observed on May 28, highlights the global need for menstrual health equity. Of the nearly 2 billion people who menstruate, an estimated 500 million face period poverty—lacking access to products, safe facilities, and supportive environments. Period poverty contributes to early school dropouts and increases girls’ vulnerability to transactional or transgenerational sex, heightening their risk of HIV and other STIs. These barriers, compounded by stigma, can lead to missed work opportunities, poor health outcomes, and mental health struggles.

Youth in Mozambique Learn to Protect Themselves from HIV

Twenty-six youth from the Lingamo Youth Club learn about HIV prevention methods and treatments.

AHF Mozambique recently partnered with counselors and psychologists to empower young people in the Lingamo neighborhood with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves from HIV. In a country where many youth lack access to comprehensive sexuality education—a gap that contributes to school dropouts, unplanned pregnancies, and rising HIV/STI rates—this initiative provided a critical opportunity for learning and dialogue.

The session created a safe, welcoming space where youth could ask questions and share experiences with experts and peers. Beyond raising awareness about HIV prevention, the event fostered open conversations that helped break down stigma and misinformation. Free HIV testing and condom distribution were also offered, reinforcing the importance of access to prevention tools.

“Knowing how to protect myself against HIV will help me have a bright future," said TM, a teen participant.

The impact of this outreach extends far beyond the event itself. Equipped with accurate information, young participants are now positioned to educate their families and peers, creating a ripple effect that supports healthier, more informed communities.

AHF officially launched its program in Mozambique in 2018 and now serves over 66,600 clients.

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