Planet Aid has supported Ajuda de Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo-Angola (ADPP-Angola) and assisted in creating development within different areas that ADPP Angola works in Child Aid projects, Children’s Towns, Teacher Training, HIV/AIDS programs and vocational training.The vocational training in Angola is a crucial part of re-building capacity and an investment in economic sustainability and livelihood of its people.

The project that Planet Aid supports was established during the Civil War and operate under an agreement on vocational training between The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Institute for Professional Training and ADPP Angola. The young Angolans are taught construction, electricity, agriculture and rural development, management and administration, and hospitality and tourism. The school develop and offer courses in line with the needs of the community, including shorter workshops and evening courses. The training curriculum covers both theoretical and practical experience equipping the graduates with all the tools needed to become a success in their respective trades.

Students at the school follow the 7th and 8th grade curriculum for half the day with the other half used on professional courses in management, construction, electricity or administration. Each course includes a month long work placement as well as lessons in general knowledge, basic health care, environmental issues etc. The school helps retrain former soldiers and vulnerable youngsters as well as working on gender equality. This year it launched an environmental program, establishing a tree nursery at the school and building fuel-saving stoves together with the local community.

The school enrolled it first 20 students in an Agriculture program during March, 1994, with support from the Ministry of Social Affairs. The school had 83 day-students during 2009.The Vocational School has implemented a gender program where the central theme is gender equality at the school and in the community. The idea is to encourage women and girls to set goals for their future, either to continue studying even if they have children or to find job as well as taking on challenges which they may think is only for men, to be more outspoken and much more. The goal for the year was to have 40 girls in different courses, an 33 girls enrolled. All participated in the Administration course as no girls wanted to enroll in the construction or electricity course this year. Another objective of the program was to promote girl education and build new capacities in the girls. Once a week, the students meet with their teacher or with an invited guest to discuss a certain topic. During the implementation of the program different topics were deliberated such as; Women and HIV, female biology and the role of women in the society.

The Hope concept works to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to reduce the negative effects on the community in several ways. Staff and volunteer activists reach out to help people in the community infected and affected by the virus. The Hope center is a hub for activities for all people in Benguela and the surrounding municipalities. The center provides HIV testing and counseling as well as organize lessons and community outreach actions and rallies. There are Hope youth clubs in collaboration with surrounding schools as well as activities in workplaces, churches and the military. The Hope project works to combat the stigma of HIV/AIDS trough campaigns in local radio stations and television.

Hope Benguela was started in 1997 and in 2009 over 3000 people visited the center and received information and education. The project reached an estimated 23,000 additional people with information about the epidemic. During the year a special effort was the program for Commercial Sex workers. 62 women were identified and mobilized to always use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. Plans were made for some women to get help to start other income generating work to support their families. Others continue to work as activists for the Hope project, to mobilize and teach others about HIV and safe sexual practices.