Quick Overview #
Living with HIV can feel isolating, especially in the beginning. But you are part of a community of young people who understand exactly what you are going through. Finding that community is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health and wellbeing.
Why This Matters #
Isolation is one of the biggest risks after an HIV diagnosis. When you feel like you are the only one, it is easier to skip medication, avoid appointments, and sink into depression. But when you walk into a room full of people who share your experience, something shifts. The weight lifts just a little, because you no longer have to explain yourself. They already know.
Research from the World Health Organization shows that peer support for adolescents and young people living with HIV improves treatment adherence, viral suppression, retention in care, and mental wellbeing. It works because peers provide something that even the best doctor cannot: lived understanding.
What Support Groups Actually Look Like #
If you have never been to a support group, you might picture something uncomfortable, like sitting in a circle and being forced to share your deepest feelings. The reality is much more relaxed.
Dream Village support groups are peer-led gatherings where young people come together to talk, learn, laugh, and support each other. Some sessions focus on specific topics like adherence, relationships, or managing stigma. Others are open conversations where people share wins, challenges, and questions. Nobody is forced to speak, and everything shared stays in the room.
These groups meet at health facilities and community spaces across Kigali’s 3 districts. Our 12 CATS supporters help facilitate sessions and ensure every person feels welcome.
The CATS Peer Model #
CATS stands for Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters. These are young people living with HIV who are trained to support others through their treatment journey. They are not doctors. They are not counselors. They are peers, people your age who have navigated the same fears, questions, and challenges you face now.
CATS supporters provide one-on-one check-ins, home visits, facility contacts, and referrals. In Q1 2025, Dream Village’s CATS team served 2,896 young people and completed 3,582 facility contacts. That is not a distant program. That is an active, daily presence in your health facility.
Building Real Friendships #
Some of the strongest friendships among young people living with HIV began in support groups. When you share something as significant as your health status with someone, it creates a bond that goes beyond surface-level connection. Many peers describe their support group as a second family.
These friendships extend beyond group meetings. Peers text each other medication reminders, celebrate good viral load results together, and support each other through tough days. This kind of organic support network makes a real difference in long-term health outcomes.
Online Communities #
If you are not ready for in-person groups, or if distance is a barrier, online peer communities exist as well. Several platforms connect young people living with HIV across Africa and globally. Ask your CATS supporter about options that are vetted and safe.
Key Takeaways #
- Support groups are not therapy sessions. They are peer-led, relaxed spaces where young people share experiences and build friendships.
- Peer support is proven to improve treatment adherence, viral suppression, and mental health.
- Dream Village’s CATS model puts trained peers directly in your health facility, ready to walk alongside you.
Need Support? #
Your first support group meeting can feel nerve-wracking, but every person in that room felt the same way their first time. Take the step.