HIV/AIDS Programming in the Prisons. As highlighted by Mrs T Ponde – the Development Worker; the partnership that ZACRO made with Progression was significantly based on enabling ZACRO to initiate an HIV and AIDS program in Prisons in addition to capacity building and governance issues. Thus during the prisons visits carried out around the country during 2008; - rehabilitation officers highlighted that HIV and AIDS prevalence was high and a significant number of offenders were suffering from opportunistic infections. The situation was magnified by the inadequacy of food and nutrition experienced in the prisons which negatively affected the immunity systems of those already affected by the pandemic. ZACRO Secretariat assured addition of HIV/Aids component in all programming missions It was therefore imperative for ZACRO to initiate an HIV and AIDS Program spearheaded by the Development Worker. Introduction and reinforcing HIV/Aids mitigation program was necessary in the penal institutions and in view of the unavailability of resources currently faced by ZACRO, the secretariat resolved that. a) ZACRO would add b) a component of HIV and AIDS awareness in many of its proposals which was done during 2008 although some of the proposals were yet to be responded to by the funding partners. c) In the meantime the Development had to start on material development on the HIV Aids program for trainers since that activity did not require financial resources. d) The organization also undertook to actively fundraise for the HIV/Aids program and assure its smooth implementation in the country’s penal institutions.. By time of compiling this annual report feedback from British Lottery Fund had not yet been received but the group still made a commitment to fund raise for the program. Other notable programming activities Banket Certification: The organization participated as stakeholders at the Banket Certification that was held on 25July 2008.The organization helped in the organization of the certification and also donated some goods that were worth $6 805 trillion that were to ensure that the function was a success. The certification was a worth event as it equipped offenders with skills that they can use upon release and they have actually been privileged with start packs. Thanks to TRB and ZPS for the partnership as it has helped in the rehabilitation of the offender. The 2008 Prison festival. 44