Global AIDS - India

Stigma & Discrimination - Good Samaritans- October, 2004
Report on Awareness Programme at Anduku - Tanda - Warangal District – Andhra Pradesh.

As has been reported earlier on this website, an article that featured in the Deccan Herald on Thursday 26 August, 2004 reported on two women who were victimized on account of a social boycott by a community engulfed with the fear of HIV/AIDS .

These two women had gone to the assistance of Bukhya Sharada who confided inthem that she was HIV positive.

But when the women returned, the panchayat (village council) decreed that they should be denied access and representations on their behalf by several community groups proved fruitless.

The story was posted on the AIDS-INDIA eforum and caught the eye of Brian Haill of The Australian AIDS Fund in Melbourne, Australia.

He subsequently appealed for an India-based organisation willing to look into this matter, an appeal swiftly responded to by the

Freedom Foundation which immediately contacted the relevant authorities. An AIDS Awareness Programme was then arranged for October 6. It was to prove highly successful - which is a tribute to all concerned!

Report on the awareness programme

The venue was the Anduku-TANDA a tribal hamlet situated around 220 km from Hyderabad. Proud of its scenic beauty it is a strong fort for the Peoples War Group-The Naxals.

The awareness team consisted of 3 representatives from the Freedom Foundation and six members from an NGO called Nrityanjali.This NGO sensitizes the communities through its cultural programmes like dance, dramas and songs.

The district- Anduku Tanda - has a population of about 300 , a majority of which are engaged in agriculture and their literacy rate is close to 50%.

The local police sub inspector, Mr.Shiveramiah, made all the necessary arrangements for the programme which was held at the Govt. Upper Primary School and attended by about 400 men, women and children from the neighbouring hamlets.

The SubDivisionalPoliceOfficer, integrated child developmental officer, the revenue officer and the press were also present.

The Mandal Development Officer, Mr. Vidyasagar, highlighted the role of Govt Officers and civil societies to promote advocacy and educate the society in an endeavor to reduce spread of the pandemic.

A women living with HIV/AIDS who was a member of the cultural team from Nrityanjali gave a very vivid presentation on the legal issues of HIV/AIDS, the rights of positive people and human rights. She gave her first hand experience on how she is living with the virus.

The cultural team of Nrityanjali Academy added colour in their presentation of awareness messages through songs, skits and lectures.

They sang songs in the local dialect conveying messages on various aspects of HIV, the importance of primary education, etc. This made a lasting impression in the minds of the people present. They depicted the myths and misconceptions through dramas and short dialogues.

The people present received brochure on Behavioral change communication .It was a pictorial representation of the different approaches a person needs to adopt to change his/her present behaviour.

Responses

The general response was very encouraging and the police personnel and youth of the vicinity felt the need to spread the awareness on the rampant spread of the pandemic.

The programme closed with an expression of gratitude and an assurance from the people that they would take on the responsibility to create awareness in the near - by hamlets.

Well done everyone!