Overview
The HIV CUREiculum is Africa’s first community-led curriculum on HIV cure research. Originally developed with global partners and now led by the African Alliance, it equips communities, advocates, and policymakers with the knowledge and confidence to engage in cure science. Tested in Kenya and Zambia, the CUREiculum is shaping Africa’s leadership in the global search for an HIV cure.
Origins
The initiative began as a collaborative effort under the HIV Cure Africa Acceleration Partnership (HCAAP) and others, where community advocates, researchers, and technical experts came together to design learning tools for communities. This work produced six core modules grounded in community-friendly science communication and participatory learning.
African Alliance’s Role
In 2022, leadership of the CUREiculum transitioned to the African Alliance, reflecting a shift toward African-led ownership of HIV cure research literacy and advocacy. As founding members of the Africa HIV Cure Consortium, the Alliance has adapted the tool to reflect African realities, integrating advocacy, policy, and ethics, and reworking the language for accessibility and relevance.
Pilots & Field Testing
The CUREiculum has been tested in two countries so far:
Kenya (2024): Modules 0–2 were piloted with community participants in Nairobi, using participatory methods such as debates, role plays, and teach-backs.Feedback refined the clarity, flow, and framing ofthe material.
Zambia (2025): The first full pilot (Modules 0–6) was delivered to 25 participants in Lusaka, including advocates, researchers, and program leaders. Continuous feedback loops confirmed the effectiveness of interactive methods and highlightedthe importance of local adaptation.
Looking Ahead
Building on these pilots, the African Alliance, through its Africa HIV Cure Consortium is preparing for rollout across four priority countries, with flexible models for in-person, online, and Training-of-Trainers sessions. Translation into Swahili and French is underway.
Monitoring and evaluation tools are being standardised, including digital feedback systems and participant learning logs.
Why It Matters
The HIV CUREiculum is not just a curriculum, it is a platform to build a cadre of cure-literate African advocates. By embedding this tool within the Africa HIV Cure Consortium strategy, we aim to ensure that communities are not only informed but are leading voices in shaping national and regional HIV cure agendas.
The CUREiculum in the news
“We are often told that this work is too technical, too far ahead. But this curriculum proves that if you trust communities, we will meet you in the future.”
Read the full article here.
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