Did you know only 8% of the youth (15-24) in Sri Lanka are able to correctly identify ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and reject misconceptions about HIV transmission?
While the number of HIV AIDS victims in Sri Lanka are unable to measure up with countries such as India or South Africa, with statistic as alarming as a mere 8% of awareness among the youth, it probably won’ t be too long before we reach a staggering number of HIV positive cases. The number of Sri Lankans living with HIV AIDS is estimated at 3800, with the most affected being the migrant workers.
With that in mind, the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association (SLGGA) organised a project in 2007 that they held at the passport office to educate migrant workers and others present, of the disease and how to protect themselves against it. The first of its kind, the project was well received and highly appreciated by all. HIV AIDS being a delicate subject, the SLGGA first trained the Guides on how to carry out an educational survey, and films about the deadly disease were shown at the passport office to help give everyone present a comprehensive grasp about the diseases.
The programme though, was only carried out for 6 months, up until the government banned all extracurricular activities, for the safety of children due to the war situation in the island at the time.
Besides the HIV AIDS awareness project involving the passport office, the SLGGA has carried out one other AIDS project which was also aimed to help migrant workers. According to the Projects Executive, Miss Priyanthi Rajapakse, majority of the HIV AIDS victims in Sri Lanka are in Annuradhapura, which is home to most of migrant workers. Under the ‘Isuru Soya’ project Priyanthi says most of them were interested in HIV and AIDS, they had a lot of questions. “We even had children visit us and then return home to bring their parents along the next day.” The program was highly successful and the SLGGA hope to conduct an ‘Isuru Soya’ program at Ratnapura next. The city is known to be the second largest for HIV AIDS victims.
On an annual basis the SLGGA organisers hold poster competitions and dramas in December to create awareness among school children about HIV and AIDS. The lethal disease being a global problem, the SLGGA has made it a point to incorporate HIV AIDS as a segment in other projects in which it has some relevance. The work carried out by SLGGA regarding HIV and AIDS is fully endorsed by ICAP and AFP. They have also combined their efforts with Family Planning Association which has helped both organisations reach more people and effectively spread their message.
Source: http://apps.who.int/globalatlas/predefinedReports/EFS2008/full/EFS2008_LK.pdf |
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