April 2011 - number 1
Success story: creating a space in the community!
2010 event: Wow!
Over 70 students at Government Higher Secondary School in Kodaikkal, India, found it very important that they had a space to meet and talk about HIV and AIDS. So, these determined young people spoke to community leaders, seeking permission to allow their act4life club to hold its regular meetings in a community hall. They were successful! The club now has a regular, safe place to hold its out of school youth meetings and self help group sessions to talk about HIV and AIDS in their community! That's a big step forward! Congratulations!
Challenging stigma and taboo! Following dance4life’s visit to their school, a drama group of 12 students from Broadgreen International School in the UK, used their creativity and newly gained knowledge about HIV to create a film called ‘HIV information’. And to take what they had learnt to the general public, they went out into Liverpool city centre dressed all in black with white masks, to raise some awareness. Holding placards displaying slogans such as 'you can’t get HIV from shaking someone’s hand’; they invited the public to challenge stigma and taboo, by, for example, shaking their hand. A great example of encouraging change in your community! Want to watch the film? Go to http://tinyurl.com/3opbfwk.
26 countries held a dance4life event in November 2010! Almost 50,000 agents4change, celebrating! That's YOU guys! So, from Zambia to Mexico and from Nepal to Ireland, you stood up and let your voices be heard. You have the power to create change and STOP HIV and AIDS!
Did you know?
Meet Zganga!
Zganga, 22 and from Zambia, is currently one of the members of the dance4life youth council. Zganga was selected by Advocates for Youth as Youth Reporter for the year, and she has been travelling to Washington, USA and Ethiopia to advocate for young people’s rights. Zganga has also been writing online about her experiences, culture, sexuality and what young people go through. To read her blog, go to http://tinyurl.com/3nclyoe.
dance4life is now in 27 countries! That means that young people like you, all over the world, have been inspired by the heart connection tour, have been educated about HIV and AIDS and Sexual Health and Rights, and are now active in spreading awareness and challenging stigma and taboo. Think about it: you are part of something huge! YOU can make a difference in creating a future without HIV and AIDS. How cool i s that?
Competition time…. Do you have a story to share? Tell us what you and your friends have been doing to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS! Not only will your story feature in the next newsletter, but the most inspiring and original story will also win a VERY cool dance4life t-shirt! Send your story to me, Natasha (details at the bottom of this page) OR hand in to your local dance4life contact. Entries should be in before 10th June! I look forward to hearing from you!