AIDSTanzania presentation November 19, 2008

See how local students are making a difference in the African AIDS crisis. AIDSTanzania is a student-run organization from the College of William and Mary dedicated to providing free, easily accessible, and sustainable HIV/AIDS education and testing to the diverse rural communities of Eastern sub-Saharan Africa. They will be screening a film about their project and answering questions in a free program on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland Street.

According to a 2006 UN report, nearly two-thirds of all people living with HIV are found in sub-Saharan Africa, although this region contains only 10% of the world's population. The student-run project emphasizes prevention in all of their programs, and seeks to empower community members, providing them with the tools and resources to develop and deliver programming and testing to their peers. While the students are not doctors or health professionals, they work effectively with other students in Tanzania. This year, they tested 238 individuals over three days and initiated a successful peer education program at a local secondary school, held roundtable discussions with women from the community and discussed condom use with young men.

The Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary and Williamsburg Regional Library jointly sponsor this program. The AIDSTanzania program is presented free of charge, though donations will be accepted for entry into a raffle for door prizes.

For more information on the program call (757) 259-4070 or visit http://aidstanzania.wordpress.com/

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of programs.