Their work centres around the themes of development, human rights and change. It’s all about learning how to change societies and people’s lives for the better – and making concrete contributions to ending othering, discrimination and oppression.

They align themselves with the interests of groups, organisations and movements of people whose human rights are unjustly limited or denied. Currently, their strongest focus is on work with LGBT+, sex workers, people living with HIV,  and adolescent girls and young women.

Their approach is based on the conviction that people can:

• take charge of their own lives, organisations and movements;
• strengthen themselves to more effectively shape their own futures;
• use their voices and actions to contribute towards the larger goals of social inclusion, social justice and equity.

Their Vision

The end of othering: health, equity and justice for all, regardless of identity, profession, age, gender or status:

Equity and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) people, sex workers, people living with HIV (PLHIV), adolescent girls and young women and other marginalised and oppressed populations.

The attitudes, social norms and practices and policies (written or implicit) of communities, governments and other powerful actors are transformed to allow the full expression of these groups’ humanity and potential.

Their Practice

Is informed by a clear, coherent and values-based approach and a set of methods arising from it. Their Inside-Out approach and methods are consciously shared with partners, and shaped together with them (co-created). They have learned that this requires long-term commitment and depth of relationship – accompaniment and significant engagement over time. Together, they develop programmes, build and deepen knowledge and understanding, and engage in shared work towards social and policy change.

Their Strategic Direction

Strengthening systems for health: people living with HIV (PLHIV), LGBT+, sex workers, adolescent girls & young women girls experience greater wellbeing and improved health;

Strengthening movements for advocacy at national and regional levels: strong PLHIV, LGBT+, adolescent girls & young women and sex worker movements, organisations and coalitions engage in effective advocacy to further their agenda/s at national and regional levels;

Influencing national and regional programming and practice:local and national civil society organisations in this field (and beyond) integrate developmental, person-centred approaches to their work, leading to increased conscientisation, change and impact at individual, social and structural levels;

Developing and positioning Positive Vibes: Positive Vibes is a leading African intermediary non-governmental organisation (NGO) positioned to sustainably pursue its goals with a strong network of allies and partners.