At a glance
This story introduces a young woman who was able to establish a business and provide a critical service to her community through the DREAMS program. DREAMS is a CDC initiative supported by PEPFAR that empowers girls to stay HIV-free.
Nandise's story
Years ago, Nandise was an accounting student at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Yet one major challenge consistently kept her from completing her assignments – the lack of internet access. Determined and resourceful, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Equipped with only her laptop and budding business skills, Nandise transformed her family home into an internet cafe for her community.
From there, she began pursuing her dreams of expanding the business. Through a chance encounter with a member of her church congregation in 2021, Nandise was introduced to DREAMS. The CDC-supported DREAMS program, and its partner TB HIV Care, helped Nandise's vision come to life. After relocating her business from her home, Nandise officially launched her company, Internet by Nandz, at a new building.
"TB HIV Care assisted me with seed funding and equipment such as a printer, paper, toner, and other things like tables and chairs for the people to sit while I'm busy with their requests," Nandise said.
Internet by Nandz has taken off and caters to students at Walter Sisulu University and the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College. High school students wanting to apply to universities also frequent the business.
"My community members are my target market. They use the services to print their resumes, online applications, and other online services," Nandise explains.
Her company now has a dedicated market of customers, all thanks to her hard work.
Empowering young women
Today, Nandise's business is thriving, and she is making plans to expand.
Tebogo Monama, South Africa, May 2023
"My plan is to open another branch near the gates of Walter Sisulu University. I also want to offer computer training classes."
TB HIV Care's DREAMS District Manager Luzoko Tosh agrees.
"It has grown into a strong business that assists students who don't have access to printers and the internet," she says. "Today, Nandise is able to offer services at a low cost, and she is very ambitious."
Nandise is one of the millions of girls CDC and PEPFAR support through DREAMS in 13 countries. The data show that new HIV diagnoses among adolescent girls and young women have declined in all geographic areas implementing DREAMS. For example, 96 percent of these areas have had a decline of greater than 25 percent.
About DREAMS
Through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC helps implement the DREAMS initiative. DREAMS stands for Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe. This first of its kind program is designed for adolescent girls and young women, empowering them to stay HIV-free.
To do this, CDC and its implementing partners apply a suite of evidence-based interventions, including:
- Comprehensive economic strengthening.
- Increased access to financial resources.
- Caregiver programs.
- Care following violence.