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Did you know that
pre-teens and teenagers are among the most vulnerable to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa? In Tanzania, young people ages 15
through 24 make up 60% of new infections each year.
Here's how your support will help students in Tanzania become
equipped to live healthy lives free from HIV/AIDS.
In June, Global Service Corps (GSC) will run its 11th annual
HIV/AIDS Peer Education and Life Skills Day Camp. The two-week
long camp will work with over 200 local high school students from
two schools in rural Tanzania with the goal of educating youth
about HIV/AIDS prevention.
During the Day Camp, GSC volunteers provide students skills to
mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS. These camps are designed to be
an interactive way for Tanzanian students to learn about
HIV/AIDS, prevention, relationships, and sexuality in a fun,
creative, and ultimately sustainable manner. These students then
disseminate information about HIV/AIDS, life skills, and other
health issues through peer health clubs at their schools during
the rest of the year.
GSC volunteers work collaboratively with local teachers, peer
educators, and Tanzanian counterparts to teach a pre-designed
education curriculum that includes lessons in HIV/AIDS, the
biology of HIV/AIDS and the immune system, STIs, healthy
lifestyle choices, gender roles, and life skills such as setting
goals and dealing with peer pressure.
Coupled with education and awareness, teaching life skills is an
essential component that enables students to make good decisions
in the midst of challenging situations that can lead to HIV,
STIs, and unplanned pregnancy. Meshack Solomon, a former GSC Day
Camp graduate, shares, "Learning life skills changed me. I
painted art on my wall that showed all the things like decision
making, and not drinking...things that would help me achieve a
good life. I painted it where I could see it every morning waking
up and planning for my day."
Over the past 10 years, GSC has worked with 32 schools in rural
and urban Tanzania, equipping over 3,000 students with the
knowledge to teach peers, friends, and family about HIV/AIDS. In
addition, peer health clubs have been established and maintained
in all of these schools, providing sustainable, year-long forums
for HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
In order for GSC to maintain this vital work with the youth of
Tanzania, WE NEED YOUR HELP. Even from far away, you can play a
vital part in fighting the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and
assisting in saving lives. Your support of any amount is needed
now. Your donation can help sponsor Tanzanian students to attend
the Camp, train and support Camp counselors, buy lunches for the
students, purchase supplies, and expand Day Camps to serve middle
school students who are becoming increasingly at risk for
contracting HIV.
To learn more about GSC's Day Camp Program, including a detailed
Case Study on HIV/AIDS and Youth in Tanzania, please click on the
photos to the left or follow this link: http://www.globalservicecorps.org/site/tz-case-studies-hiv/
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