HIV Awareness raising in prisons and communities

We often share stories of change, and about how we try to protect people against the risks of (unprotected) sex. But how do we do this again? And why do we do this? In this update, we would like to share some more details of our awareness project.

In Thailand parents and teachers rather don't talk about sex. Resulting in  one in every twenty girls at the age of 15-19 ending up with a unwanted pregnancy. HIV also still spreads because of a lack of knowledge and education, mainly amongst youngsters. 

For that reason Siam-Care made an awareness program, consisting of:

1. Sex education in secondary schools. We inform teens about the risks of (unprotected) sex.  We have conversations about respecting their own bodies and that of their peers. In Mukdahan, which is bordering Laos, the work in schools has an extra dimension, which is raising awareness to prevent human trafficking.
2. Training of teachers. We help strengthen the knowledge and skills of teachers on the topic of HIV and child protection and teach them to pass on the knowledge to their students.
3. Training of leaders of churches and congregations. We equip leaders with knowledge and skills on HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases and help them to train others.
4. Activities in collaboration with local authorities. On special occasions (such as Valentines Day) we organize special events, focussing on training locals in an informal setting.