The Need

A real menace now, the prevalance ofHIV/AIDS has grown three fold in the last 10 years.
51.34 lakhs Indians infected with HIV in 2004 (17.5 lakhs in 1994)!
109349 cases of full blown AIDS cases in India (May 2005)!
52036 cases of full blown AIDS in Tamil Nadu (May 2005)!

Ignorance, Carlessness and a Reluctance to recognize the danger still prevail. The risk of infection varies between groups. Truck-drivers and Prostitutes along the Highways are at a higher risk. Besides, due to unprotected sex with their wives, the truckers spread the virus to their family.

The spread of HIV can be controlled by educating people about HIV/AIDS (nature, how it spreads, diagnosis and prevention) - the IEC Campaign.

The PATH Program

HOPE Foundation runs the Prevention Along the Highway (PATH) program just outside Chennai to educate the target group (truckers and prostitutes) on diagnosis, care and prevention of the HIV/AIDS and the use of condoms.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), who initiated the project with the Indian Government, finances 90% of the project through the Aids Prevention and Control Project (APAC).

The program covers 60 km on NH - 45 in Tambaram, Mamandu and Padalam. Here, 300 prostitutes operate and 1500 trucks halt. The program also covers other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). The manner of infection and prevention are similar in all the STDs.

Six Field Staff visit the prostitutes and truckers. They introduce the subject of HIV/AIDS and STD, the dangers, and their prevention. They encourage the target-group to seek information on the subject and pour out their questions and apprehension by seeking help.

Two Counselors conduct individual and group sessions with the target-groups for counseling. They arrange road shows and seminars to propogate the message to the local population. The Counsellors also identify and develop “Peer Educators”. Peer Educators - someone the target population is ready to listen to - are extended arms for HOPE. They, in turn, function like the Counselors themselves. They are well versed on STD

How you can Help...

We need a person with fluency in Hindi and willing to teach N. Indian truckers on STDs.