Peer counsellors increase understanding of HIV/AIDS

The Commonwealth Youth Programme helps young people in Commonwealth countries to target issues like HIV/AIDS. Young Ambassadors for Positive Living (many of whom are HIV positive themselves) are taught accurate information and trained to communicate with young people about the virus. To date, over 200 young people across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean have received training.

They organise ‘street plays,’ which are performed in villages or open fields and contain information on HIV/AIDS. Doctors provide advice regarding the content in the scripts and often attend the plays, so they can answer questions raised after the production. Rock music concerts take place with Ambassadors performing in areas such as shopping malls. The music, which tempts a young crowd, contains messages that address important points about HIV/AIDS.