Preventing the spread of HIV/Aids

Since 2006, LDA-Sweden and LDA-Liberia, with the support of Forum Syd, have carried out HIV/Aids awareness raising work. This initiative is driven by the belief that children, teachers and parents need to be healthy to allow for a positive development of Liberia’s children and youth. There are no definite figures about the HIV infection rate in Liberia. UNAIDS and WHO estimate infection rates to be around 2% of adult population. While this is relatively low compared to other African countries, this highlights the need for effective prevention measures. Talking about partnerships and sexual relationships is still widely a taboo in Liberia and widespread is also the belief that HIV/Aids is a “myth”. Therefore,  there is a great need for spreading information about the disease, its causes, transmission paths and how one can prevent an infection.

LDA therefore trains teachers in Grassfield School and other schools, students, civil society and church representatives in workshops. LDA also conducts outreach work. Life Skill Training – that includes HIV/Aids and other STIs (sexual transmitted infections) education and gender equality – is now part of the weekly curriculum at Grassfield School. In 2009, LDA’s HIV team and peer educators reached out to more than 9000 people in Montserrado County (New Georgia, Gardnersville, Bardnersville, Red Light, Jacob Town, Kesselly Boulevard, Chicken Soup Factory, Iron Factory, Free Port, and Caldwell).