December 1st is World AIDs Day. To raise awareness on AIDs, Blossom will organize an awareness raising event across 8 villages, 2000 people, in Virudhurangar district over 2 days. 10 HIV+ EduClowns use drama and humor to educate people on AIDs and the resources available to them in an entertaining and engaging way. Your generous support will allow us to reach thousands with critical, life-saving information on World AIDs Day and tackle the obstacle of unequal access to information and care.
There is a critical deficit in public awareness on the nature of AIDs, means available to prevent the condition, treatment, and services and social support available to patients and their loved ones. Part of this is due to impact of unequal access to information and care in underdeveloped parts of India. With the theme this year set as "End inequalities. End AIDS", Blossom is aiming to mitigate the harmful effects of unequal access to information and care through awareness raising.
EduClowns are members of the HIV/AIDS communities who are knowledgeable about illness and adeptly use the theatrical arts to raise awareness. Information about AIDs will be incorporated in an engaging and informative drama script. The EduClowns will also pass informational material with details about the condition, prevention, treatment, local support resources, etc., that people can take home with them. This way people will have a source of information they can refer back to.
This project will help reduce unequal access to information and care critical to the prevention and treatment of AIDs through awareness raising among 8 villages (2000 people). Patients who are aware of the symptoms of the illness or how it is transmitted will likely be better equipped to prevent it or seek care for it sooner. Thus, the initiative will support patients to understand the illness and access care in the short or long term.
