AIDS AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

The management of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has taken the AIDS scourge seriously. AIDS is eliminating the productive group in the society. Lewa is on the forefront of ensuring that employees, surrounding communities and those affiliated to Lewa are informed of the fact that AIDS exists and no cure has been developed yet. This is done through organizing HIV awareness campaigns offered by various organisations.

So far, we have had Riples International, Ministry of Health and Population Services International HIV trainers and counsellors visit the organisation and educate employees, the surrounding community and students who are supported by Lewa. At the moment, Population Services International has sent two AIDS trainers to Lewa. These trainers are HIV positive thus able to counsel the audience based on their experience. They are conducting two sessions per day and each has about 50 people.

The discussions that last about two hours are interactive and offered in Kiswahili to ensure everyone understands. The program aims at behavioural change to reduce the spread of HIV and offer education on how to live with HIV positive people in a stigma free and non-discriminatory society.