By Lexa Koenig | Co-President
We have exciting updates from Gulu, Uganda about GlobeMed at Columbia's HIV/AIDS initiative with GWED-G! In the past few weeks, there have been several Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) events in Amuru District, Uganda. Youth groups that were formed as part of GlobeMed's partnership with GWED-G mobilized over 150 community members to receive free HIV testing and counseling without having to face the potential stigma and inconvenience of getting tested at a health center. A Village Health Team formed by GWED-G helped the youth groups make these VCT events become a reality. They are even wearing tshirts with the GlobeMed logo on them!
Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS is one of the major barriers to health for communities in Gulu, Uganda. People often do not get tested because they fear how their peers will view them if they think they are infected. GWED-G directly combats this stigmatization through these events and other education campaigns. Another important aspect of these VCT events is the involvement of youth groups. Educating the youth is the key to a healthier community. By empowering them with health knowledge, GWED-G allows them to be agents of social change. Keep following our project to hear more updates about youth groups and the rest of our HIV/AIDS project in Gulu, Uganda!
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