HIV DAY

In the district there are 8 PCVs. Together we are working on a big HIV/AIDS project. We have events planned for a day and are traveling to each out our each villages/towns to hold the event. In the morning, we have a program at the school—with the help of the teachers we teach the students about HIV using different games and activities. There are four stations—one teaching about the spread of HIV, one is to demonstrate what happens when a person gets HIV and the immune system is weakened, one teaching about the ABCs of HIV (A abstain B be faithful C Condom Use) using a activity called narrow bridges. The last station is showing a video about HIV, written by and for African students. After the groups, a nurse from the nearby hospital came to talk with the students. We had a quick lunch and then brought out the speakers! In the small villages having “jams” (music) on the big speakers is a huge event and draws a lot of attention. So with the dancing and speakers which brought in the crowds we had stations with a HIV/AIDS myth and fact game, pictures to lead to discussions about HIV and a condom demonstrations for the community members. The nurse gave them a talk as well and we continued with a football (soccer) game. The PCVs and the teachers teamed up against the town football team for a fun match. During half time, a group of students did a drama/ demonstration called clinking glasses to show how easy it is to spread HIV and to teach community members about protecting themselves from HIV. In the evening, we finished up with a free video show that was a great hit. Using the Senarios from Africa videos again, we showed short videos about HIV to the village.

So far, we have done the program in two of our villages. We still have 6 more plus a big finale in the district capital. Though it’s a tiring day, the two so far have been great sussesses! Most of our funding is coming from a PEPFAR (Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) proposal we wrote but we are also getting funding from the Peace Corps Partnership Program. The PCPP program is a way for people at home to contribute to PCV projects. Check out our project at www.peacecoprs.gov Go to Donate now, and then search under the Ghana projects to find it. Its under the name Joe Pierce, one of the PCV in the district. Thanks so much!!