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 US$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 Charles 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.