As per NACO estimates, India has nearly 0.64 million children below 14 years of age who are infected with HIV. Significantly, the number of children who have either one or both HIV positive parents or who have lost both their parents to HIV/AIDS is steadily increasing. Despite the gravity of the situation, awareness about HIV/AIDS and its spread remain dismally low. People continue to labor under various myths and misconceptions concerning the disease which has resulted in huge amounts of stigma and discrimination being associated with it.
The HIV/AIDS Awareness Package project was a direct outcome of this issue. This project from Plan seeks to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, by changing its status from that of killer disease to a manageable chronic illness. It does so by providing the right information on HIV/AIDS and associated issues to the community members through the HIV/AIDS Awareness Package (HAAP).
Under the project, workshops for children were organized across the country to decide the concept, storyline and contents of the package. Post the design and field testing 500 HAAP kits were produced in four languages viz. English, Hindi, Kannada and Telugu. The kits were distributed to grassroots, state, national and international level NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, Government Organizations and Institutes focusing especially on HIV/AIDS issues. The kits were disseminated through workshops held across the five states of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan In order to disseminate the kit widely, the workshops were conducted in controlled and closed settings as well as in open village spaces. Children directly involved in developing the kit shared their experiences with others.
The workshops elicited positive responses from the community members, children and NGO partners and were found useful in addressing issues related to both HIV/AIDS and child rights. Based on the positive response and interest generated among NGOs, children and communities, approximately 7000 HAAP kits were replicated and distributed through 33 State AIDS Control Societies and Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+). Training of Trainers was also conducted for children peer educators to train them in the art of making and using the kit to spread awareness in their communities. A website for the HAAP project i.e. www.HAAPproject.org has also been developed to facilitate exchange of ideas and easy reference. The project has benefited nearly 1750 children.
The project ended this year with the final dissemination of HAAP kits. However, Plan is ensuring its usage by integrating it in various existing projects. Plan has also submitted a proposal for adopting the HAAP kit as an IEC tool/material in the school AIDS Education Program of NACO. If accepted, the package would be used for generating awareness among the school children all across the country.
To view the mircrosite on HAAP, please click here.
