Like many countries in Africa, Tanzania is facing a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic whose negative impact threatens the development of the country. With 1.4 million adults and children infected with HIV (approximately 8% of the population), agriculture, tourism, and the daily life of every citizen has the potential to be affected. In 2005, approximately 142,000 deaths were due to HIV/AIDS, 6% of HIV-infected pregnant women received ARVs for prevention of maternal to child transmission, and only 30% of the population had been tested for HIV/AIDS. These statistics make it clear that something needs to be done.
In response to this crisis, GSC HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention GSC volunteer participants wield an effective weapon: education. GSC has teamed up with local community leaders and indigenous organizations to offer week long trainings in HIV/AIDS prevention to urban and rural community groups as well as secondary school students. The trainings include not only information on HIV transmission and prevention but also cover treatment of opportunistic diseases, life skills, stigma, and the importance of healthy living through good nutrition.
At the conclusion of each training program, a community member who is living wit
h HIV/AIDS encourages each trainee to be tested by saying, “No matter what the results are, you should be happy, because now you know for sure. And if you are positive you can be sure you are taking care of yourself to live a healthy life, and if you are negative you can live accordingly in order to stay negative.”
Trainees are encouraged to be tested and to know their status and approximately 80% of all trainees participate in the counseling and testing provided at the training. During the trainings, an emphasis on education, testing, and friendship helps spread the word that AIDS is a disease that can be prevented - and just as importantly that those who do have AIDS need all the love, care and support afforded any human.
Each summer, GSC staff, volunteers and counterparts also provide youth day camps that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention, youth sexuality, and life skills. These camps are designed to be an interactive way for secondary school students to learn in a fun and creative way about issues related to HIV/AIDS including transmission and prevention, relationships, sexuality, and healthy life skills. GSC is now providing follow up training and support to the peer educators and teachers who participate in these much appreciated day camps.
Whether you participate in community trainings or a day camp you will undoubtedly be changed by your experience and will leave with the knowledge that you have impacted lives through the sharing of encouragement and information with your new Tanzanian friends.
