Tears Wenzira, a radiant 28-year-old woman with a welcoming smile, is one of the more than 2,000 hair dressers in Zimbabwe who work closely with PSI, as part of a program co-funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.K. Department for International Development, to prevent HIV transmission by reaching out to their clients with messages to promote promoting the use the female condoms to their clients.
Tears sells 100 female condoms per month and makes a profit of US $4.00 – enough to buy basic groceries like bread and milk for her family.
In December 2009, PSI Ambassador Debra Messing visited PSI programs in Zimbabwe, including Tears' salon. During the visit, Tears and her fellow peer educators explained to Debra and PSI staff from Washington, D.C., how they counsel their clients on HIV prevention and using the female condom. As an added bonus, Debra got a new do.
Tears (middle) stands among her clients and co-workers.
PSI peer educators explain how the "care" female condom is used.
Debra and PSI staff from Washington, D.C., listen and learn.
Hair dressers, donning "care" aprons, style their clients' hair.
Tears sells a "care" condom to the partner of her client.
The hair dressers give Debra an elaborate up-do.
An excited Debra and Tears.
Debra shows off the final product.
Tears (middle) stands among her clients and co-workers.
PSI peer educators explain how the "care" female condom is used.
Debra and PSI staff from Washington, D.C., listen and learn.
Hair dressers, donning "care" aprons, style their clients' hair.
Tears sells a "care" condom to the partner of her client.
The hair dressers give Debra an elaborate up-do.
An excited Debra and Tears.
Debra shows off the final product.