The South Africa HIV/AIDS Peer Education Care and Support Program is a 2 year contract with USAID to assist the Department of Education (DOE) to improve the quality of education in schools and to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS within the school system in South Africa.  The primary objective of this project is to strengthen systemic and operational capacity of the DOE as well as local NGOs to implement a well coordinated pilot Peer Education, Care, and Support Program in accordance with PEPFAR FY 06 Country Operational Plan and the Strategic Plan of the Department of Education (DOE).

The major component of this program will be awarding grants to local NGOs for implementation of the HIV/AIDS Peer Education, Care and Support Program in the schools in 4 provinces: KwaZulu Natal, NorthWest, Free State and Mpumalanga. In collaboration with the DOE, the AED will also be providing technical assistance for the monitoring and evaluation of program activities and deliverables.