HIV/AIDS
Education and Outreach Program

For an alarming number of youth, the threat of HIV infection is not real. Although many are aware of the illness and death of many around them from AIDS, it is still often seen as something that happens to "other people" or to those who are "unlucky". The widespread ignorance is further by the fact that Cameroonian youth are rarely the target of any kind of health or sexuality education. On the other hand, women are faced with poverty, inequality in their relationships and cultural practices which have also resulted infection and death. Our activities include the following:

• Train leaders from diverse segments of the community to serve as HIV/AIDS educators.
• Educate youth, women and men about HIV transmission and prevention, through outreach and summer programs.
• Provide one-on-one and small group discussions and counseling, including a coeducational communication group.
• Make appropriate referrals to health facilities for sexually transmitted infection information and treatment.

“Hope for the Children Program”

Cameroon is among a number of African countries that have experienced a sharp increase in the number of children orphaned by AIDS. Between 1994-1997, the number of orphaned children in Cameroon increased by 100%, and by the end of 1999, there were 181,344 AIDS orphans in Cameroon. An AIDS orphan is a child who has lost a mother or both parents to AIDS. Our “Hope for the Children” program provides the following:

• Home-based care, food, clothes, medicines counseling and recreation for children affected by HIV/AIDS
• Educational materials, school fees, to meet the educational needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Women's Empowerment Program

Many Cameroonian women face cultural and traditional practices which put them at risk for HIV infection and death. Women are expected to accept to share their sexual partners with other women; women often occupy low status in their relationships; many are not able to negotiate condom use in their relationship; many exchange sex for economic survival. Through its Woman Empowerment Programs, PID is committed to providing programs which will help improve the status of women in the following ways:

• Provide small loans for income-generating activities.
• Assist in job training and placement.
• Provide counseling and co-educational communication meetings.

Volunteer Programs

PID will provide an opportunity for professionals and students from developed countries to serve as volunteers in all areas of its HIV/AIDS prevention and community development activities. Our volunteer activities offer an opportunity to make a difference through cross-cultural exchange and service. Working hand-in-hand with grassroots organizations in Cameroon, volunteers will:

• Provide HIV/AIDS prevention education and counseling to youth, men and women.
• Assist women with small business development initiatives.
• Assist in administering income generating programs for women.