Since AIDS first came to light in the early 1980’s as the international public health crisis that it is today, education, and the dissemination of information about the disease has been one of the main tools used to combat it.
Costly radio and television advertising campaigns were mounted, and broadcast widely throughout the western world to make people aware of HIV and AIDS, and to this day the health threat that is posed by the disease is regularly featured in newspaper and magazine articles.
In sub-Saharan Africa too there have been national campaigns to heighten public awareness, but it is questionable how effective these TV and radio adverts, or indeed the roadside billboard hoardings are in getting the message across to rural communities who, by and large live without electricity, let alone televisions in their homes.
Self Help Africa has been instrumental in supporting the establishment of HIV/AIDS Awareness Clubs in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Malawi over the past number of years – and provides training and support to youth groups who are encouraged to become educators of their own local communities.
Using music, song and drama, the HIV/AIDS Clubs established in the Self Help project areas travel to markets, schools and public gatherings to deliver messages about the importance of safe sex, and the devastating effects of HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
The clubs seek to educate, and heighten public awareness about HIV/AIDS, and also work with communities to remove the stigma and resulting discrimination which is experienced by victims, and the families of those who are suffering from the condition.
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