New ADRA Initiative Fights HIV/AIDS Throughout Africa

July 14, 2004

14 Jul 2004

Todd Reese

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International

Silver Spring, land – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency

(ADRA) initiated a project to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the

continent of Africa. The three-year project, funded for $526,000 by

the Swedish government through ADRA Sweden, will train trainers of

counselors in the care, support, and counseling of those infected and

affected by HIV/AIDS.

A curriculum is being developed to train health professionals,

teachers, and influential community or religious leaders. Once the

selected trainers have been trained, they will, in turn, train others

to provide counseling in hospitals, clinics, schools, communities,

and other related institutions.

" The precedent for this project was set by the experience ADRA has

gained in dealing with HIV/AIDS in other countries in Africa and

around the world, " said Sandefur, president of ADRA

International. " Other similar projects have had tremendous impact on

a smaller scale. ADRA is thrilled that this project is moving forward

on a continent-wide level, " he continued.

One such project, the HIV/AIDS Awareness for Youth Project in Kenya,

trained 2,470 young people who then disseminated information about

HIV/AIDS to other youth (10-19 years of age). The project reportedly

reached more than 90,000 youth. A second similar program implemented

in Uganda also aimed to decrease transmission of HIV/AIDS through

this method by educating 12,000 children in 40 schools. It is

estimated this project has now reached 29,000 people with the life

changing information it provides.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and

community development and disaster relief without regard to political

or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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