Positive. Powerful. Alive. will use participatory storytelling to break down stigma surrounding HIV in Uganda. Participants will attend a multi-day training led by local professionals to learn the basics of photography, videography, and storytelling. The group will then work together to showcase their stories of strength, perseverance, and refusal to give in to HIV. This project will use communication both as a tool for empowerment and as a resource for others struggling with their HIV status.
In Uganda and around the world, HIV positive individuals are subject to severe stigma and discrimination. A biased perception of HIV results in staggering outcomes for those affected, impacting an individual's ability to connect with others and adhere to their treatment. As a result, many fear getting tested and treated for HIV. With your help, this project will work to change perceptions of HIV through the power of storytelling - reshaping an HIV positive person as a fighter, not a victim.
Listening to the stories of others - and telling stories of your own - can be transformative. Positive. Powerful. Alive. will use participatory storytelling to empower HIV positive individuals and help them educate their communities on HIV. After a training on videography, photography, storytelling and editing, participants will work together to film each other's stories, all of which will revolve around the central tenant of strength through HIV. Each story will focus on clients' perseverance.
This project will provide a platform for self-expression, creativity, and peer-to-peer connection, empowering clients to see themselves as fighters instead of victims. Such a perception will have a long-lasting impact: if clients - and their communities - see HIV in a different light, they will be more prone to seek testing, treatment, and prevention services. Your donation for this project will go toward the purchase of 5 recording devices, all which will be used to repeat the project annually.
