HIV/AIDS Education in Zuta

some of the school children from Zuta listening to the presentation
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Today we went to a small village near Akatsi to help two other volunteers with their HIV/AIDS presentation to the school children and villagers. We had a talk about where HIV lives in the body, and then what activities do and do not transmit the disease. They used painted boards to tell everyone what sorts of activities are safe to do with people who are HIV +ve (eating, sharing water, etc.) to try and minimize the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS patients. And we helped with an interactive game to show how the virus attacks the human immune system, eventually making it impossible for a patient to fight off other diseases like malaria, coughs, fevers, etc..

Kendra, Kristy and Kristina showing which activities transmit HIV and which don't
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The experience was great, with some local song and dance and great participation and interest in HIV/AIDS from the crowd. The children especially had lots of questions and were very attentive despite being in a large group outdoors and listening to a translated presentation. Unfortunately the chief of the village, who was supposed to bring the villagers, did not show up and so there were only a handful of adults (who are a little less open to some of our ideas like using condoms) but the day was still a success. Enjoy the pictures - and yes, that is us doing the local dance in front of everyone!