"Let's Stop AIDS Together" - We are the Vaccine
Article by Amy Ann Lubik
Trainee, AIESEC Ternopil
HIV and AIDS are global problems. "Let's Stop AIDS Together" is a compilation of passionate volunteers brought together by AIESEC to spread information about HIV/AIDS to the youth of Ternopil, Ukraine. There is no cure to HIV/AIDS; however, as a vaccine arms the human immune system to fight off a virus, we will arm the youth with the information they need to keep themselves safe from HIV/AIDS. Only by being informed about the problem can they protect themselves. Thus we, the volunteers of the "Let's Stop AIDS Together" project, because of the information we spread, are the vaccine for the youth of Ternopil. Those that receive our vaccination have promised that, in return, they will spread the information as well, to help conquer the 'plague' of the twenty-first century.
Why are we starting our battle to eradicate this pandemic in the Ukraine? Ten years ago, the WHO dubbed the Ukraine a virtually HIV/AIDS free zone. Today, the Ukraine is the number one centre for HIV/AIDS in Europe. AIESEC Ternopil, a local committee of the world's largest youth-run organization, AIESEC, has recognized the problem and has decided to take action. AIESEC has many platforms by which to allow youth to develop themselves, one of which is the international internship exchange program. Therefore, they have recruited four students from three different countries around the world who feel deeply dedicated to the issue of HIV/AIDS for a developmental internship. From Turkey they have recruited Caglar Soyuak, a student of Engineering and Economics. From Malaysia, they have gained Jamie Goh, a student of English and Business Management. From Alberta, Canada they have recruited Candice Powley, a Political Science and Psychology student. From British Columbia, Canada they have recruited Amy Ann Lubik, a Biochemistry and English Student. Each of us has different experiences and views on HIV/ AIDS because of our various social, educational, and particularly national backgrounds.
Like the different medicines in the "AIDS cocktails," each tackling different parts of the disease, each of us focuses on a different part of the problem of educating students about HIV/AIDS in order to be as effective as possible. Caglar is most adamant on ensuring the spread of information from out students to their personal communities. Jamie desires to make sure that our pupils know the facts from the myths when it comes to transmission of the disease. Candice is passion to ensure the youth know all about the easiest way to prevent the spreading of this disease: Condoms. Lastly, Amy is determined to imbue the information that there are treatments available, what they are and where to get them. Each us is an element to make up what we already feel will be a very effective vaccine for use on the youth of the Ukraine. As a vaccine must be administered by a caring physician, so are we delivered to different schools by our Organizing Committee President, Irena Koval.
Why are we starting vaccination of the youth? They are the future. They are the hands that will shape the future of not only the Ukraine but the world. A frightening percentage of the world’s youth is very ignorant on the subject of HIV/ AIDS. This is through no fault of their own, for they simply do not have the information that they need to make wise decisions about their health in regards to this issue. Unfortunately, a large part of the Ukrainian youth is socially inactive. That is, they are not involved in after-school activities, social clubs, or organizations, such as AIESEC, which work toward improving the global situation. They are therefore more likely to turn to more potentially detrimental pastimes, such as drugs and/ or sex. These are two of the primary ways that HIV is spread in the population between the ages of 20 and 34 – the age group most likely to become infected. Therefore, we are targeting our vaccination to high-school and university students, so that they can avoid becoming a depressing addition to the statistics.
The first administrations have been a thrilling success. Like the vaccine for Hepatitus A, two shots are necessary for maximum protection. For the first, we travel to the schools and give a short presentation to give them basic essential information with which to protect themselves. For the booster shot, we take those who are interested for a training session, going much more in depth and much more interactive. Despite the language barrier, which is broken by superb voluntary translators, we believe that our goal has been achieved at our first few schools. It has been amazing to hear the intelligent questions of such young students and be able to answer them and to dispel the myths they may have been harbouring. In return for our vaccine, they give us one as well: great hope. When one hears that the students do not know the easiest way to prevent getting HIV (condoms), it can be disheartening. Yet at the end of the presentation when the youths thank us for warmly for the information, can remember the facts, and promise to spread the word to their friends and family, they fill us with the hope and warmth of making a difference. They are the syringes with which to spread the vaccine.
We are the vaccine against HIV for the youth of Ternopil; we are a cocktail of information and passion blended to give maximum effectiveness against the virus. HIV spreads rapidly, but information and word of mouth can spread faster. The future is in our hands and we are committed to seeing it thrive in an HIV/AIDS free zone. So let us bring together more people of the world, and share all possible information; "Let's Stop AIDS Together."
The trainees in action during one of the training sessions
L-R : Jamie (Malaysia), Candice (Canada), Ira (Ukraine - OCP),
Caglar (Turkey), Amy (Canada) during the press conference to announce
the beginning of the project "Let's Stop AIDS Together."
Trainee, AIESEC Ternopil
HIV and AIDS are global problems. "Let's Stop AIDS Together" is a compilation of passionate volunteers brought together by AIESEC to spread information about HIV/AIDS to the youth of Ternopil, Ukraine. There is no cure to HIV/AIDS; however, as a vaccine arms the human immune system to fight off a virus, we will arm the youth with the information they need to keep themselves safe from HIV/AIDS. Only by being informed about the problem can they protect themselves. Thus we, the volunteers of the "Let's Stop AIDS Together" project, because of the information we spread, are the vaccine for the youth of Ternopil. Those that receive our vaccination have promised that, in return, they will spread the information as well, to help conquer the 'plague' of the twenty-first century.
Why are we starting our battle to eradicate this pandemic in the Ukraine? Ten years ago, the WHO dubbed the Ukraine a virtually HIV/AIDS free zone. Today, the Ukraine is the number one centre for HIV/AIDS in Europe. AIESEC Ternopil, a local committee of the world's largest youth-run organization, AIESEC, has recognized the problem and has decided to take action. AIESEC has many platforms by which to allow youth to develop themselves, one of which is the international internship exchange program. Therefore, they have recruited four students from three different countries around the world who feel deeply dedicated to the issue of HIV/AIDS for a developmental internship. From Turkey they have recruited Caglar Soyuak, a student of Engineering and Economics. From Malaysia, they have gained Jamie Goh, a student of English and Business Management. From Alberta, Canada they have recruited Candice Powley, a Political Science and Psychology student. From British Columbia, Canada they have recruited Amy Ann Lubik, a Biochemistry and English Student. Each of us has different experiences and views on HIV/ AIDS because of our various social, educational, and particularly national backgrounds.
Like the different medicines in the "AIDS cocktails," each tackling different parts of the disease, each of us focuses on a different part of the problem of educating students about HIV/AIDS in order to be as effective as possible. Caglar is most adamant on ensuring the spread of information from out students to their personal communities. Jamie desires to make sure that our pupils know the facts from the myths when it comes to transmission of the disease. Candice is passion to ensure the youth know all about the easiest way to prevent the spreading of this disease: Condoms. Lastly, Amy is determined to imbue the information that there are treatments available, what they are and where to get them. Each us is an element to make up what we already feel will be a very effective vaccine for use on the youth of the Ukraine. As a vaccine must be administered by a caring physician, so are we delivered to different schools by our Organizing Committee President, Irena Koval.
Why are we starting vaccination of the youth? They are the future. They are the hands that will shape the future of not only the Ukraine but the world. A frightening percentage of the world’s youth is very ignorant on the subject of HIV/ AIDS. This is through no fault of their own, for they simply do not have the information that they need to make wise decisions about their health in regards to this issue. Unfortunately, a large part of the Ukrainian youth is socially inactive. That is, they are not involved in after-school activities, social clubs, or organizations, such as AIESEC, which work toward improving the global situation. They are therefore more likely to turn to more potentially detrimental pastimes, such as drugs and/ or sex. These are two of the primary ways that HIV is spread in the population between the ages of 20 and 34 – the age group most likely to become infected. Therefore, we are targeting our vaccination to high-school and university students, so that they can avoid becoming a depressing addition to the statistics.
The first administrations have been a thrilling success. Like the vaccine for Hepatitus A, two shots are necessary for maximum protection. For the first, we travel to the schools and give a short presentation to give them basic essential information with which to protect themselves. For the booster shot, we take those who are interested for a training session, going much more in depth and much more interactive. Despite the language barrier, which is broken by superb voluntary translators, we believe that our goal has been achieved at our first few schools. It has been amazing to hear the intelligent questions of such young students and be able to answer them and to dispel the myths they may have been harbouring. In return for our vaccine, they give us one as well: great hope. When one hears that the students do not know the easiest way to prevent getting HIV (condoms), it can be disheartening. Yet at the end of the presentation when the youths thank us for warmly for the information, can remember the facts, and promise to spread the word to their friends and family, they fill us with the hope and warmth of making a difference. They are the syringes with which to spread the vaccine.
We are the vaccine against HIV for the youth of Ternopil; we are a cocktail of information and passion blended to give maximum effectiveness against the virus. HIV spreads rapidly, but information and word of mouth can spread faster. The future is in our hands and we are committed to seeing it thrive in an HIV/AIDS free zone. So let us bring together more people of the world, and share all possible information; "Let's Stop AIDS Together."
The trainees in action during one of the training sessions
L-R : Jamie (Malaysia), Candice (Canada), Ira (Ukraine - OCP),Caglar (Turkey), Amy (Canada) during the press conference to announce
the beginning of the project "Let's Stop AIDS Together."
posted by kablooi at 10/15/2006 08:27:00 PM
1 Comments:
I am frequent visitor of your website as i love to read out the articles posted on your website. At the same time i request to post some great article on TERNOPIL NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITYand similar as well. Thanks !!!
Post a Comment
<< Home