We at A.S.A.P.-Aids Support Awareness Project are committed to tackling HIV/AIDS by addressing previously un-tackled cultural issues and practices using linguistically correct educational and positive speaking DVD’s, which we show via laptop presentations to remote rural communities. The project has begun in Zambia and we hope to spread across Africa. It is our key aim to use this innovative high-impact educational material to aid in increasing awareness of how certain cultural practices are contributing to the rapid spread of HIV in Africa.

With nearly a quarter of the population in Zambia defined, as illiterate, non-verbal educational methods are ineffective. Currently the vast amount of material is produced in English and in written form, which cannot reach those in terribly afflicted poor rural communities. It is the right of all people to have access to the services and information they need to help them stay alive and this is simply not happening in many rural parts of Africa, these people continue to live in ignorance.

Although, most people now know the words HIV/AIDS, they still lack knowledge on the complexities of the disease and how certain cultural practices aid in its spread. VCT, Voluntary Counselling and Testing, is often only available only to those in large towns & cities. Cultural practices which increase hugely the risk of cross infection are simply not be tackled by the large NGO’s deeming them of a too sensitive nature. It is these practices, which restrict condom usage, create cross-infection through traditional healing methods and marginalize women, thus allowing the infection rate to continue at catastrophic levels.

We hope to encourage more field operatives to join us who are HIV positive and are prepared to be positive speakers as was one of the counsellors that came on our pilot project.

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