Dear ,

The SSLN is officially expanding! Read more about the next phase of the Learning Network, as well as a short recap with links to all the learning events of the past quarter. 

In a nutshell

News

• SSLN Phase II: more countries, more prevention pillars, more in-person engagements
• First in-person Champions' Meeting: find photos and presentations here
• First country-to-country visit: Uganda visits Kenya's MAT-clinics
• Sycona: an initiative for AGYW practitioners - and our countries are representing

Q1 2022 learning events 

• Webinar: Last Mile Condom Distribution 
• Link & Learn: Tanzania on Stigma & Discrimination in KP Programmes 

Multi-media corner

• Country collaboration: Nigeria champion features on SA LGBTI talkshow
• SSLN portal links: view your PSAT scores, summaries, and action plans

SSLN Phase II: You spoke and we listened

Phase II of the SSLN means an increase in the breadth and depth of engagement between countries. Except for a more enriched and streamlined experience, you don't have to worry that anything is going to change. 

Some of the highlights you can look forward to, include:

• 5 more African countries to share and learn with

• 3 more Key Population pillar themes (PWID, Transgender People, and People in Prisons) 

• 3 more prevention pillars for PSATs and learning (AGYW, VMMC, PrEP)

• Engagements specific to your region (Southern Africa, East Africa, and West & Central Africa)

• More in-person meetings (read about our Champions' Meeting in Nairobi below)

• More country-to-country mentoring and learning visits (read about Uganda & Kenya below)

• Long term & short term technical assistance (TA)

• Linkages with other initiatives like CQUIN, EpiC, TSM, Global Fund Strategic Initiative, Condom Strategic Initiative

Next steps? Country leads will reach out to country champions to talk about Phase II in more detail, relook country champions groups and the new SSLN Terms of Reference, and develop workplans and calendars.

(Finally!) our first in-person Champions' Meeting took place

The 3rd Champions' Meeting took place in Nairobi, Kenya in February.

Some of the agenda items included: 

• HIV Prevention in Africa
• Roles & Responsibilities in HIV Prevention
• Key Population Outreach & Microplanning
• Last Mile Condom Distribution
• Visits to four Key Population programmes in Nairobi

View photos, presentations, and videos here. Thank you to all our delegates, speakers, and the organising committee!

Another first: Uganda visits Kenya MAT-sites following mentoring series

The first SSLN mentoring visit took place in March. This came after the initial virtual mentoring sessions in 2021 where Uganda learnt about different aspects of Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) programming from Kenya. 

The 3-day visit to Nairobi, Kenya, involved the following (click here to read the full report):

• 10 participants from Uganda (including health workers from a MAT clinic in Uganda)
• Site visits to two MAT clinics in Nairobi county
• Briefing and debriefing with key stakeholders from both Uganda and Kenya

What would you like to receive mentoring on? Let us know and we will link you up!

AGYW practitioners will benefit from the new Sycona initiative 

Missed the past quarter's learning events? Here they are again

WATCH: Nigeria champion features on SA LGBTI talkshow

Want to see your initial PSAT scores, summaries, and action plans?

Within the next few weeks...

Country champions should receive direction from country leads with regards to phase II: country champions groups, the new SSLN Terms of Reference, PSAT lite and the completion of additional PSATs, as well as workplans and event schedules.

Thank you for your commitment and contribution to making the SSLN such a success. We look forward to building on our existing momentum!