The beginning of December saw Projects Abroad Senegal help to coordinate an AIDS awareness day with our local partner AFE in the Pikine district of St.Louis.
On Friday 1st December, otherwise known as global AIDS Awareness Day, Projects Abroad staff and volunteers took to the streets of Pikine with local partner Action Femmes Enfants - AFE, for an AIDS awareness march. Desk Officer – Kristina Fitzpatrick tells us about the day:
‘It was by all means an early start – 7am! We met in Sor to distribute T-shirts and see the artistic results of volunteers who had created a Projects Abroad banner for the march. After a long walk through the sand to the AFE centre, we established our route, and also met up with some of our well known “artiste” friends, who were to provide the music and entertainment for the march!
Once the route had been completely decided - which obviously took a little while, bearing in mind we are on Senegalese time, we set off, quite quietly and slowly at first, around the dusty and tiny streets of Pikine. Pikine is the poorest residential area of St.Louis, with a population of around 70,000 people, almost a third of the total number of people who live in St.Louis; a truly staggering amount, and therefore a really important area in which to increase awareness about AIDS and HIV.
Our T-shirts, banners and music soon began to attract a large crowd, and by the time we reached the entertainers at a specific point of the route, there were at least 150 local people following us in addition to all of the Projects Abroad representatives and AFE staff.
What was brilliant about this was the opportunity to hand out flyers created by Projects Abroad about AIDS and HIV - with information such as what the virus is, its presence in Senegal, how it can be contracted, preventative measures etc, as well as an invitation to have a free HIV test during the course of the day.
By this stage the march was large and noisy, as we had predicted, with police escorts who accompanied us to a local medical centre, where the queue began for free HIV testing.
It was, all in all, a brilliant morning that achieved everything it was meant to do - raise the profile about AIDS and HIV locally, provide free HIV testing for local people, and be a small part of AIDS awareness day on a global scale. A big thank you and well done to all the volunteers that were involved!’
Find Out About Our Projects in Senegal
www.projects-abroad.co.uk
About the Author:Projects Abroad is a global organiser of overseas voluntary work placements. Our wide range of projects, including teaching, care, conservation, medical, sport, community projects and journalism, are designed specifically for the many communities where we work and also to give the best experience to everyone volunteering abroad.
www.projects-abroad.co.uk
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Traveling to Madagascar
By: drowssorc | 17-09-2007
What is the best season for traveling to Madagascar?
Largest desert in Africa: Sahara or Gobi?
By: Noah | 24-07-2007
Which is the largest desert in the world, the Sahara or the Gobi deserts?
West African politics
By: duck | 29-04-2007
Why Africa?s west coast is composed from many small countries?
Ending Africa?s hunger with money
By: star | 19-03-2007
Once in a while I see a commercial that claim that hunger in African can be stopped with a cretin amount of money. Is it really that simple?
Eating elephants
By: BigRedEd | 03-03-2007
Is an elephant edible, and if so is it served somewhere ?
Volunteer teachers?
By: Mubiru C. | 27-02-2007
Dears Teachers and freinds am looking for volunteer teachers who are interested in spending some of their time volunteering at Kikaaya college school. Am looking for individuals who can teach any of the following subjects; English,Maths,Chemistry,Physics,Biology,Computers,Carpenty,Electronics,motor vehicle mechanics etc, if you know any person or organization it will be of great service. MUBIRU CHARLESHEAD-TEACHERKIKAAYA COLLEGE SCHOOL KAMPALA,UGANDA
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Travel Articles
The Birth of Denver Colorado
By: Jayesh Bagde | 08/09/2008
From a small mining town, Denver has grown not only for its historical settings, but due to its various nature parks and sports teams. As currently one of the vacation hotspots in the US, it also boasts of elegant and classic hotels.
Denver City first started as a mining town during...
Find Out More About My Airfare Secrets
By: Brian Garvin | 08/09/2008
Tony Morrison is a pilot with sixteen years of experience. Tony put together a manual called My Airfare Secrets Secret Airfare Guide, and by doing so has saved people a ton of money on flying all around the world. If you know the shortcuts, you can travel the way you...
Making the Most of Travel With Wholesale Travel
By: Andy West | 07/09/2008
Wholesale travel is a great option for smart budget-savvy travelers. Travelers can receive the best pricing on their vacations and ensure great service and savings. This opportunity is not available to the general public, so prospective travelers should take advantage of the opportunity presented to them. With wholesale travel, buyers...
Traveling Smart With an Online Travel Business
By: Andy West | 07/09/2008
Smart travelers have long known the benefits of vacationing through an online travel business. Online travel businesses tend to be easier to navigate. Since the business makes most of its money online, having easily accessible information and a user-friendly system is beneficial and most profitable to the company as well...
Things to Do in Hampshire, UK
By: Devinder Patel | 07/09/2008
Home to the Royal Navy & to the Army, Hampshire has played a long role in the defense of England's realm. Hampshire is a unique county of rolling green hills with tranquil chocolate box villages and ancient forests. It's beautiful countryside and rich cultural heritage has a varied coastline and unspoilt beaches making Hampshire an ideal short break destination.
Keep Your Mind on Road Safety When Driving Abroad
By: Roger Munns | 07/09/2008
Vacationers traveling to foreign countries often encounter challenges on the road. When driving in a country where traffic drives on the opposite side of the street, remembering to do everything in reverse can be difficult. Whether you're a Brit visiting Spain or an American exploring England, keep traffic laws in the front of your mind to avoid foreign driving accidents.
Road Movies of Note
By: Patrick Omari | 06/09/2008
The Road Movie, it's not just about cars but is a great way of getting a character across a physical and emotional journey as this article looks at some greats of the genre.
Why Visit London ?
By: Devinder Patel | 06/09/2008
When you go to London, the best time is during Summer, because there's no snow and you will not feel chilly. When you land at Heathrow Airport you will have access to hire a taxi from there with a driver and he will get you to the very best places in London. You can also take a taxi and go to other places that you wish to visit further afield. London is the most exciting city in the world, thanks to its 1000 years old history.
Travel 
