Project Launch:

A $500 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program supported a health education and arts program about HIV/AIDS in 2011. HIV positive youth from a clinic participated, a group that rarely has the chance to participate in group activities where they can speak their minds. Many have suffered from depression and stigma as a result of being HIV positive. This project marked the beginning of a series of activities and support group efforts that were fun, educational and gave the participants hope. Conversations were held about condom use, HIV transmission prevention, adolescent pregnancy, relationship management and choosing sexual partners. Participants also painted a mural in the Batey communities with health promoters that live and work there to reiterate these messages and that reinforce the health message of the “ABC’s” (Abstinence, Be Loyal, Condoms!) of HIV prevention. The children were proud of the community project and multiplied the project by sharing what they learned with others. The Peace Corps Volunteer who planned the project did so with the involvement of the participants and recalled the oldest girl in the group, Yacaira, who came to life as a result of being able to help plan an outing for the group and help the community finish the mural. She felt good about being able to get away from the house that she worked in as a house cleaner. Her mother has passed away from AIDS and her father was not in the picture.