Year 1 Quarter 4 Report on HIV/AIDS sensitization campaign

1. Introduction

The fourth quarter of the Global Fund sensitization campaign took place in Pujehun District. To be more specifically, it took place in Pejeh, Barri and Panga Kabonde Chiefdom. In the Fourth Quarter Proposal, we initially spoke about Makpele and Malen as the two chiefdoms to be targeted. However, partially due to the disbursement of funds and the rainy season, these areas were very difficult to access and for the inhabitants to travel would be a problem. Therefore, Peace Child Sierra Leone (PCSL) decided to target the above mention Chiefdoms as were targeted in the Third Quarter Project but included Panga Kabonde. This way, PCSL could reinforce the message delivered during the previous visits and reach out to people who have been left out during our last visit to these areas.

         

   2. Sensitization Sessions

 Location:

A series of sensitization sessions took place from the 8^th until the 17^th of September 2006. In total, 14 villages were visited. These villages were chosen in agreement with the Paramount Chiefs of the three different chiefdoms, during the pre-visitations. The villages were selected based upon their location and size. Most of the villages are section headquarters. 

The average audience of each of these target groups was sixty young persons in the informal sector and over fifty school children in the formal sector.  In each of these communities and schools, PCSL resource team made presentations and then follow by interactive discussion for better understanding of the issues.

  After each presentation, discussions were held followed by questions and answers. PCSL team observed the following: disbelief among some members of the target communities about the existence of the HIV/AIDS; the fear of undertaking voluntary test for fear of being tested positive and in the event create “shame and stigma’’; ignorance about the existence of treatment for the disease on one hand and the access to it even among those who may know about its existence.

 Activities:

During the sensitization sessions, the following activities have been performed:

·        Introduction of Peace Childs Sierra Leone and Global Fund initiative in the area.

·        Presentation including;

·        Collecting names of representatives for HIV / AIDS workshop

·        Movie show about sexual harassment and women’s rights in the three largest villages (Futah Pejeh, Pujehun Town, Potoru)

To ensure that the message was correctly disseminated and clearly understood by all participants, all the sessions were given by Peace Child Sierra Leone staff in Mende and English.

 

 3. HIV / AIDS Workshops

 Location:

During the pre-visitation meetings, we agreed that Pejeh Chiefdom would be the host community for the fourth quarter project. One of the reasons for this is her strategic location in the Pujehun district. The central position between Panga Kabonde Chiefdom and Barri Chiefdom made it easy for the participants to travel from and towards the workshops. Moreover, the positive attitude from Pejeh Chiefdom towards developmental projects was a very important determinant.

 

TOT for youth Reps in life skills programme

 On the 28^th and 29^th September 2006 a two day Training of Trainers workshop on life skills was conducted at the Futah Pejeh court Barrie. Participants from various youth groups in Pujehun District were in attendance and resource persons were taken from School teachers, Health worker and social workers to facilitate the programme.

  The content of training included the following:

 The purpose of the workshop was to give participants the necessary tools and knowledge to be able to conduct similar training in their respective communities and groups. At the end of the session participants were encouraged to come back with feedback as they commence the implementation of the skills they have got from the training. The TOT Manual was distributed to all participants of the workshop; this will form the basis of their intervention in their communities

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 Training of Counsellors from youth groups

 On 30^th & 1^st September 2006 training sessions for youth counselors were conducted at the Futah pejeh hall respectively. These attracted 96 participants from among youth representatives of groups, local leaders and community workers PCSL has been working with, in the selected zones. The content of the training included:

 Social workers, traditional heads of secret societies, health workers and a team of PCSL staff facilitated and served as resource persons for the sessions.

  The aim of this workshop was to prepare the participants for the position of an HIV/AIDS counselor. This workshop dealt with topics like Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT), Pre-test counseling and Post-test counseling .

  

Football Gala

 On the 1^st and 2^nd October 2006, a football gala aimed at sensitising the youths of Barri, panga kabonde and Futah chiefdom in Pujehun District was held at the primary school in Futah town. This Gala was organised by Peace Child Sierra Leone in collaboration with the local authorities in the chiefdom. During the opening ceremony, traditional dancers, paramount chiefs, the local council chairman and other distinguished personalities graced the occasion. This football gala attracted well over two hundred people. During this football gala, mass sensitisation campaigns that centred on HIV/AIDS prevention and control were carried out. Posters, T-shirts and banners with messages of HIV/AIDS prevention and control were also disseminated to spectators.

 

4. Output

    After the workshops, all 192 participants received certificates.

-         Certificate for successfully participating in the Training Workshop for youth representatives on HIV / AIDS and life skill programme (TOT workshop)

-          Certificate for successfully participating in the HIV / AIDS workshop for youth counselors and animators.  

This means that every participant was successfully trained about HIV/AIDS and now is able to conduct similar trainings in their own communities.