Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Students learn about AIDS, to act as peer educators

Karthik Madhavan

NEW MISSION: Students at the AIDS awareness programme. - Photo: M. Govarthan

ERODE: "If a person hugs or kisses an HIV positive person, will he or she get infected, What are the chances of HIV infection through an illicit relationship, What are the first symptoms of AIDS," - these are not FAQs on AIDS but questions straight from the minds of Class Nine and Eleven students, who are undergoing a two-day AIDS awareness programme. There are 50 students of both genders from 25 schools at the training programme. "The aim is to create awareness, particularly among the students because in their adolescence they are more vulnerable than others, and they do not have an opportunity to raise their doubts," says Dr. R. Jayanthi of the District Institute of Education and Training, which is conducting the programme with assistance from National AIDS Control Organisation. "Given our societal set up there is hardly any way the students can get their doubts cleared. They have a lot of inhibitions asking their teachers, parents and others, who share the same inhibition and sometimes ignorance in answering them," says M. Selvam, who is also conducting the programme.

"The students trained are the best messengers to carry forward the awareness message because those who listen to them will be comfortable listening to them and getting answers to their questions," say the two trainers.

Not only that, the students trained will also form a Red Ribbon Club (RRC) in their schools, of which the teachers trained will be the coordinator.

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