Children worldwide join Plan's lesson to fight AIDS
Leading children’s agency, Plan, is organising events worldwide to support the fight against AIDS on World Aids Day, 1 December 2006.
More than a million children and their communities taking part in Plan-sponsored events under the banner, LESSON FOR LIFE, promoting greater awareness of HIV and urging their governments to do more to tackle the growing HIV pandemic.
Plan spokespeople are available for interview, including chief executive Tom Miller as well as field staff from Plan offices worldwide.
Plan events are taking place in more than 20 countries around the world. See details below for a summary of country activities and contacts.
Canada: Plan and partners are organizing a major photo exhibition in Toronto called Picture Change, detailing the impact of HIV on people’s lives. Contact: steve.theobald@plan-international.org, + 1-416 9201654
China: Over 55,000 children in 50 schools are taking part in HIV awareness training for both students and teachers in Xian province. Contact: Francesca.celestre@plan-international.org, +86 29 88102399
Ecuador: The Lesson for Life national coalition is developing a guide for carers of HIV-positive children and a summary of the required legislation to protect the rights of HIV-affected children. Contact: Ximena.abarcs@plan-international.org, +593 2 2444941/2/3
Finland: HIV/AIDS & Children’s Rights – four days of workshops for Scandinavian youngsters in Helsinki and other cities to increase understanding of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. School children from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are also taking part. Contact: mika.valitalo@plan-international.org, +358 9 68698000
Germany: More than 100 schools are taking part in Lesson for Life activities organized by Plan, supported by Plan’s online educational materials for secondary schools. Contact: jens.raygrotzki@plan-international.org, + 49 40 611400
Ghana: Children are presenting their key messages on HIV to policy makers, government officials and district assemblies, culminating in a national durbar on the 1 December. Contact: Gloria.odei@plan-international.org, +233 21 773370/ +233 243 178009 (mobile)
Guatemala: 3,000 children aged 8-18 are organising sporting and cultural events to support Lesson for Life. Contact: hugo.lopez@plan-international.org, +502 23391462
India: More than 5,000 children are attending a concert and fundraising walk in New Delhi organised by Plan and UNAIDS on the eve of World AIDS day. Contact: neeru.bhatia@plan-international.org, +91 11 2696 8432/3/4
Kenya: Plan is one of the major exhibitors at the National AIDS Control Council’s exhibition in Nairobi promoting innovative HIV prevention and care programs. Contact: kihu.irimu@plan-international.org, +254 20 3870216
Nepal: Hundreds of children aged 12-18 are involved in awareness raising activities from the 29 November- 4 December. Contact: Shreeram.KC@plan-international.org, +977 1 5535580
Paraguay: Adolescents are creating a network of sexual health and life skills trainers to reach out to children all over the country. These 5,000 trainers will focus on HIV prevention activities and providing support for children affected by HIV. Contact: cristina.guillen@plan-international.org, +595 21 615174
Philippines: 30,000 children in 50 Plan partner schools are exploring issues such as access to ART treatment and HIV prevention strategies. Contact: cathy.seco@plan-international.org, +632 817 3871
Sri Lanka: 50,000 children are involved in HIV awareness raising programs in over 250 locations around the country. These include street dramas as well as government lobbying initiatives. Contact: genita.perera@plan-international.org, +94 773 023348
Thailand: Plan is working together with UNESCO, Thai Red Cross and others to promote greater HIV awareness, including a major fashion show. Contact: Kesinee.silapee@plan-international.org, + 66 4324 1385
USA: Plan is organising an HIV awareness raising event in Rhode Island with its partner Youth United for Global Action & Awareness (YUGA), showcasing Plan’s AIDS work in Uganda. Contact: Linda.raftree@plan-international.org, +1 401 7385600
Vietnam: Plan and partner agencies are running a major forum where young people and policy makers will debate progress on HIV prevention and care for children with HIV. 45,000 children are also involved in 75 events countrywide. Contact: hang.nguyenthuy@plan-international.org, + 84 4 8220661, ext 23
Zambia: Government health minister is attending a special World AIDS day event. Plan and partner agencies are launching a new report on access to ART treatment for children in Zambia. Contact: Mwape.mulumbi@plan-international.org, +260 1 260092
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Contacts: Colin McCallum, Media Officer at International Headquarters on + 44 (0) 1483 733 285, + 44 (0) 7941 233760 or email colin.mccallum@plan-international.org
Plan is a humanitarian child-centred organisation working in 45 developing countries, with families and their communities. Founded over 60 years ago, Plan has no religious, political or governmental affiliation.
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