HIV AIDS Prevention Program
$6,000.00
Raised so far
$0.00
Goal
Fully Funded!
Support Studio Samuel's HIV AIDS prevention program for the girls under their care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Our first class of 25 students participated in an HIV/AIDS awareness course and received an HIV test after being certified in the course. Emotions were empty and girls were mentally withdrawn while waiting for results, knowing the odds weren’t in their favor. Over 80% of girls in that class lost one or both parents to AIDS.
All girls tested negative!
One by one: surprise – joy – tears – smiles – giggles. They each saw this as a new lease on life. Shy teenage girls became vocal about sexual activity and the need to protect themselves, in turn protecting their community.
Studio Samuel's HIV AIDS prevention program:
- Reach 100 girls through a two-week training course
- Certify each girl who completes the course
- Address myths surrounding the virus and the fear of being tested
- Offer an HIV test by a professional healthcare worker upon completion of course
- Raise further awareness within the community through our students’ actions
- Licensed health care professionals available for any student(s) testing positive to help them make a plan for treatment and counseling
“Because my mom and dad died of AIDS, I knew the same would be true for me. When I got my test results from the Studio Samuel doctor and he said I was negative, I was so happy that I cried! I have so much to do in my future now.”
HIV and AIDS Education is Vital
The HIV AIDS problem in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Stigma and myths surrounding HIV in a community not armed with facts are a contributing factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. If your family member contracts AIDS, you may assume you’re a carrier. This assumption leads to not getting tested, not protecting yourself, and living with a Why does it matter? mindset.
The need for HIV AIDS Prevention programs
The 25 countries with the highest numbers of new HIV infections were selected for the Global HIV Prevention Coalition. Of these, 17 are African countries, including Ethiopia. (source: UNFPA)
After remarkable decline for decades, since 2008 HIV incidence rate began to rise by 10% and number of new infections diagnosed each year increased by 36% among all ages and doubled among adults, much due to suppressed prevention programs.
With the current trend, Ethiopia will achieve the second and third 90% HIV targets, while the first target is not achievable and without achieving this overarching goal control of the epidemic will not be achieved. Therefore due attention is needed to avert the current epidemics and diagnosis of cases (source).
