The international non-governmental organization Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is combating the spread of HIV and AIDS in Togo through educational programs that raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

According to the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), Togo, a small country of five million people, has the third highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in West Africa with some 200,000 HIV-positive people in Togo.

ADRA Togo’s HIV and AIDS awareness project, implemented in collaboration with the Red Cross and a local health center, involves staff visiting villages throughout Togo, discussing subjects such as HIV prevention, symptoms, contamination, and attitudes towards those who are affected. During the programs, peer educators perform skits, songs, dances, poems, and other entertainment education to teach students about the disease. Attendees also participate in question and answer games about HIV and AIDS.

In October alone, the sessions impacted nearly 1200 students and their teachers. The majority of these students come from poor rural areas and are between the ages of 12 and 24. The entire project, which is valued at more than US$36,000, began in January 2006 and is scheduled to end in December.

"This well-received project is making a positive impact in the lives of students through education, prevention, and awareness initiatives," said Todd Reese, country director for the ADRA Togo office. "In the face of a disease that is preventable, communities have the power to help stop the spread of the disease by administering prevention and education programs, reducing stigma, and supporting their neighbours already infected with the virus," Reese finished.

The discrimination and stigmatization faced by people living with HIV and AIDS is so extreme that many who test positive do not want to disclose their status for fear of being rejected by their own families, friends, and community, noted Reese. The impact of stigma in Togo is currently very high due to cultural perceptions. This is especially true in rural communities where the neglect sufferers endure increases their vulnerability and speeds their deaths.

The ADRA office in Togo' capital Lomé, also plans to start a new three-year HIV and AIDS project in January 2007 with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through a donation by the Swedish Mission Council (SMC) through the ADRA office in Sweden.

ADRA has been working in collaboration with communities in Togo since the country office was established in 1988. Through a wide range of projects in the area of health care, education, food security, and HIV prevention and awareness, ADRA Togo strives to meet the needs of the Togolese people.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

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