Lunugamwehera (Hambanthota District), 23 February 2007 – The AIDS and STD Prevention Unit at the Hambanthota Base Hospital states that in the last three months, 30 patients have tested positive for HIV.  Focusing on these numbers together with a request from the Provincial Council Secretary, an awareness seminar was conducted for 100 government officials – Gramasevaka Officers, Samurdhi Officers, Regional Sector Officers and Provincial Council Staff.  These officers are appointed by the government to look into the needs of the villagers in their particular area.  Pastors from the region were also present.

After the seminar, 1500 HIV/AIDS brochures were handed over to the participants for them to distribute

the brochures in their own villages.  The officials were very eager to go back to their villages and organize the same seminar for their fellow villagers.

Pastors were trained on how to counsel people at risk on HIV/AIDS and on how to provide psychosocial support and Pastoral care for people living with the virus.

Colombo , 10 March 2007 – By request of the Women’s Unit of the National Federation of the Visually Handicapped, an HIV/AIDS Awareness Seminar was conducted at their premises.

Approximately 70 visually impaired persons participated and they were all eager to spread the message among friends and relatives.  Many doubts and preconceptions were cleared at the seminar and the Directors of the Federation have asked ADT to produce a leaflet on HIV/AIDS in Breil, start a counseling program and organize District seminars for the visually handicapped.

The main themes covered were: HIV/AIDS and how it Spreads, Myths and Realities of the Disease, How to Avoid Infection, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Church’s Responsibility Towards People at Risk and Patients Living with HIV/AIDS, and Psychosocial Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS. Booklets and leaflets on HIV/AIDS were also distributed.

The Prison Commissioner of Matara decided to conduct an HIV/AIDS seminar for the staff and it was agreed that the Prison Welfare Department should conduct an HIV/AIDS seminar for the inmates in each quarter. We decided that we should train Pastors to convey the message on HIV/AIDS and STD to prisoners around the country.

Matara, 27 April 2007 – Alliance Development Trust conducted an awareness seminar at the YMCA for young Christians. About 35 youths participated. They were briefed on HIV/AIDS, STDs and sexual education. The main themes covered were: HIV/AIDS and how it Spreads, Myths and Realities of the Disease, How to Avoid Infection, Church Responsibility Towards People at Risk and Patients Living with HIV, and Psychosocial Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS.

A case study was conducted with the aid of a drama and group discussions were held along with presentations. Booklets and leaflets regarding HIV/AIDS were distributed to the participants. Youth Pastors were eager to take the message to their regions and share with their congregation. Almost everyone agreed that Pastors need training on how to provide psychosocial support to people living with the virus and people at risk.

21 June 2007– An HIV/AIDS Awareness Seminar was conducted for the Christian youth in Vavuniya. 85 youth were present at this program.

Large numbers of Sri Lankan refugees are returning from refugee camps in India. The cramped living conditions and poverty make many of them vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Recent reports state that the Northern and Eastern districts have the second largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Refugees, army soldiers, commercial sex workers and war widows are the most vulnerable.

The following subjects were discussed:

 ·         HIV/AIDS and How it spreads
 ·         Myths and Realities of the Disease
 ·         Preventing  HIV/AIDS
 ·         Sexually Transmitted Infections
 ·         The Responsibility of the Church Towards People at Risk and People Living with HIV/AIDS
 ·         Psychosocial Support for People living with HIV/AIDS.

A case study was also carried out along with a drama. Group discussions and presentations were also held

20 July 2007 – Following a request made by the Secretary of the Ruwanwella Provincial Council in Kegalle, Alliance Development Trust conducted a seminar targeting the youth in that area.

35 youth participated at this seminar and the following subjects were covered:

 Introduction to HIV/AIDS
 HIV/AIDS and How it Spreads
 Myths and Realities of the Virus
 Preventing HIV/AIDS
 Sexually Transmitted Infections Responsibility of the Community Towards Potential Victims and People Living with HIV.

Many participants shared their stories and they were determined to stop the behaviors which would make them potential victims of the virus.   The participants also decided that they will inform their family members and friends regarding HIV/AIDS and STDs. 
The Youth Service Officer of the Ruwanwella Provincial Secretariat Council has expressed her interest in conducting a seminar at which the whole village will be able to participate. In the meantime, the Assistant Secretary of the Ruwanwella Secretariat invited Alliance Development Trust to conduct educational programs in their Secretariat Council area.

04 August 2007 - There are over 500,000 tea estate workers in Sri Lanka. This profession has been passed on from generation to generation. Out of the 500,000 workers, women are the ones who spend their day working in the plantations. This puts them in a vulnerable position and makes them more exposed to sexual harassment. Even though the workers are poor and live in deprived conditions, alcoholism is widespread and casual and commercial sex is available around the estates.

Due to the lack of knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS, and an increase in the numbers of youth working in the tea estates, we conducted a seminar in HIV/AIDS for their benefit.

In order to have a greater impact in terms of number of people and areas reached, we decided to involve the local Churches which are situated in and around the tea estates in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Baduula. 216 Christian youth and Sunday school teachers participated in the HIV/AIDS awareness seminar. The Following themes were addresses:

• What HIV/AIDS is and how it spreads
• Myths and realities of the disease
• How to prevent HIV/AIDS
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections (STD & STI)
• Case study with a game
• Church responsibility towards people at risk and people living with HIV/AIDS
• Psychosocial support for people living with HIV/AIDS
  
   

While increasing people's awareness on HIV/AIDS remains the priority, the programme also covers issues such as personal hygiene, tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. It also addresses issues such as malnutrition and the ill effects of alcohol and smoking. Such programmes will not be limited to tea estates; they will also be implemented in schools and areas where alcohol is readily available.

19 – 23 August 2007 – Our HIV/AIDS Awareness Project Coordinator had the privilege of participating for the 8^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP). There were more than 2000 delegates from over 40 counties in the Asia Pacific region. The theme of the conference was “Waves of Change, Waves of Hope”.  Government and non-government officials, including the President of Sri Lanka were participants at this international conference.

The congress was divided into the following five sections:

 1.     Plenary Sessions.
 2.     Symposia.
 3.     Oral Abstract Sessions
 4.     Skill-building Workshops.
 5.     Satellite Meetings.

There was also an exhibition, a Youth Forum and stalls of the regional organisation named “Asia Pacific Village”.  There were photographs displayed depicting the stories of people living with HIV/AIDS and also a drama about HIV/AIDS.