Getting started...

In summer 2002, PID launched "HEALTHY ME," a pilot HIV/AIDS education and empowerment program for adolescents, ages 10-17. Participants took part in a 5-day intensive residential program. The goals for this unique program were twofold: first, to work with young people at an age when they are more likely to adopt and sustain healthy behavior; and second, to find out if this unique educational format would meet the needs of participants.

Program activities were adapted to address the different age and maturity levels of participants, they included: health education classes, including HIV/AIDS prevention and HIV; effective communication skills; treatment for sexually transmitted infections; social etiquette; recreation, arts and crafts; computer lessons; and strategies to increase personal and family income.

The program provided an active learning environment, using local learning strategies such as role-plays, skits, music, group discussions and one-on-one counseling. These activities were intended to reinforce learning and to leave a lasting impression on the participants.

This approach to AIDS education is new in Cameroon, and it is meant to address the denial and complacency about AIDS that is prevalent in the community. By removing people from their "comfort zone" at home and immersing them in health education activities, we hoped that we could alert them to the seriousness of the AIDS epidemic as well as provide them with strategies for preventing its spread.

The program was a smashing success, so we ran it again in 2003, 2004, and 2005.