Asia will be the next continent after sub-Saharan Africa to see a rapid growth in the AIDS epidemic. Large numbers of children are becoming infected and losing parents. What is the best way of fighting the virus? How should the topic of sex, which is taboo in many cultures, be broached? A report by Save the Children illustrates its work with young people in South and South East Asia.

The effect of AIDS on children is much greater than on adults. They have to look after sick parents and other relatives before seeing them die. Supporting themselves and other family members at a young age means they miss out on the education and health services that teach them about HIV. They can enter dangerous and exploitative work. Some families who cannot support them sell them into the sex trade.

The use of unpaid community volunteers is very successful in Nepal. There is a much greater response from local people than when paid workers are used. Not only do the volunteers tackle AIDS prevention but they also look at ways of supporting families already affected by AIDS. The project reduces the stigma attached to the disease. A young boy not able to attend school or play with his friends after his father died of AIDS found this no longer happened after Save the Children’s work in the region.

Save the Children findings include:

• Involving the community ensures the project really meets local needs and allows local people to continue the work when outside volunteers leave.
• It is important for government and other organisations to work together. Collaborating with Chinese government agencies has enabled AIDS prevention work to take place in over 2000 schools in China.
• It is difficult to get young people to attend AIDS awareness programmes regularly.
• Using young people to help design the programmes makes sure they meet their immediate concerns.

The charity recommends:

• involving the local community in the project to ensure its continuing success
• bringing government and other organisations on board, particularly in highly centralised countries such as China
• taking into account traditional cultural values when developing HIV programmes for children, in order not to antagonise the local community
• introducing AIDS programmes to existing youth groups and running activities at times when working children can attend
• involving young people at all stages of the project.

Involving the community and young people in AIDS projects is the best way of making sure that HIV messages reach their targets.

Source(s):
'Young People and HIV/AIDS: Responding to the new Asian crisis’, Save the Children, by E. Ireland and D. Webb, 2001 Full document.
'Related sources: HIV and Conflict: A double emergency', Save the Children, by A. Lawday, 2002

Funded by: Save the Children UK

id21 Research Highlight: 1 October 2002

Further Information:
Elaine Ireland
Save the Children, UK
17 Grove Lane
London
SE5 8RD

Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7703 5400
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7793 7610
Contact the contributor: e.ireland@scfuk.org.uk

Save the Children

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