Inspire the Growth of Kazakhstan's Global Citizens

For a number of years now, we have had a partnership with the Shymkent AIDS Centre, the government-run facility responsible for managing HIV/AIDS-related public health matters in the city. These days, as well as carrying out HIV tests in its clinic, it has a growing focus on educating young people in more engaging ways.

Recently, Salem hosted an event put on by the city's AIDS Centre to mark International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day. This annual worldwide event is intended to remember those who have died of AIDS, to express solidarity with people living with HIV, and to inform society about the continuing challenges of HIV infection that can affect anyone.

The AIDS Centre organised a seminar at Salem for the students of a local Polytechnic College, which included going through Salem's AIDS Xperience. This 15-minute interactive walk through the life experience of a person at risk of contracting HIV is an ideal tool for young people to gain an educational experience from a different perspective.

The program included educational games and discussions, with specialists providing the young people with basic information about HIV infection and AIDS, including ways to prevent transmission. Particularly important was the discussion of stereotypes related to those with HIV/AIDS, designed to prevent the labeling of people infected with HIV/AIDS and their exclusion from society.

As part of the event, rapid test HIV testing was organized, with counseling available before and after the test. But since they were at Salem, there were no stuffy medical rooms in sight - everything was carried out under the trees in the beautiful surroundings of the Salem Social Village site.