This document discusses ways for young people to help change perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and reduce stigma against them. It notes that PLWHA are often viewed as "having already signed their death certificates". The document recommends that youth take PLWHA through behaviour change processes to help them accept their situation and live positively. It also suggests using PLWHA as guest speakers and representatives in media to share their stories, as well as providing them support groups. The overall goal is for youth to help empower PLWHA and make them feel more hopeful by addressing stigma.

1. Youth! Help change the
faces of People Living With
HIV/AIDS (PLWA)
2nd National Conference on Peer
Education, HIV/AIDS
Author: Charles Wasike
Co Authors: Molla, Alphonce; Olweny, Fred; Mkado, Chrispinus;
Njoki, Saraphina; Matola, F

2. Introduction
When we view life solely against the
background of death, we become demoralized
and wait for death.

3. Sadly, many People Living With HIV/AIDS
(PLWHA) are viewed as having already
“signed their death certificates”, by their
families and society.

4. We, the young people, need to change
this perception and help PLWHA’s reduce
self-stigma and join the fight against
stigma and the spread of HIV.

5. Did you know, last year alone:

6. Again:

7. Comparison of two Developing
Continents
Continent All infected in
Continent
New infections as
% of those infected
Deaths as % of
those infected in
continent
Deaths as a % of all
infected in continent
Latin America PLWHA 1.8million New infections
200,000 = 11%Deaths
Death 2005:
66,000 = 3% of PLWHAs
die
Sub-Saharan
Africa
PLWHA 25.8million New infections:
3,200, 000 = 12.4%
Deaths 2005:
2,400,000= 9% of PLWHAs
die

8. Here are some more important
facts:
100% of those who die of HIV related
illnesses are PLWHA.
It is PLWHA’s who spread the
virus, intentionally or unintentionally.
What does that mean?
To reduce the deaths and stop the spread
of HIV/AIDS, we need to focus on
PLWHA’s.

9. Education for Life Kenya’s (EFL)
experience with PLWHA shows:
They don’t like the names they are
branded with.
Behaviour Change Process (BCP) is
crucial since it changes their perception
of life.
In the fight against AIDS, PLWHA are
key players and have a high impact .
Many PLWHA get new hope when we
say that AIDS is not a sin. This shows
how deeply they are stigmatised

10. What then can young people do in
relation to EFL Kenya’s
experience?
Stress PLWHA’s personal responsibility for their
own wellness and the wellness of all in Kenya.

11. Take them through an interactive behaviour
change process enabling them to choose to
accept their situation, live positively and not
spread HIV.

12. Encourage disclosing their status to their partner
and their family.

13. Provide a safe place to share their status, be
supported and seek advice.
Case studies of dilemmas PLWHAs face:
1. An HIV +ve woman shared that she is worried
about disclosing to her child that both she and
the child are HIV +ve. As a test she asked the
child what she would do if someone in the
family had AIDS. The child said, “I would run
away”.
2. Another woman revealed to the child that the
medicine she was taking was ARVs but didn’t
explain what they were for. The little child
mentioned it at school and her friends told her
she had AIDS. She came home crying to her
mother.

14. Use PLWHA as guest speakers.

15. Offer practical advice about
medicine, diets, positive living, etc.

16. Offer opportunities for PLWHA to be publicised in
the media, to tell their story.

17. Recommendations
Ask PLWHAs what they wish to be
called.
PLWHAs need follow-ups after a BCP to
ensure they don’t give up.
Facilitators, counsellors and church
leaders need to be educated so that their
outreach is doing good not harm.
Use PLWHAs in as many ways as
possible.

18. Conclusion
Let us all CARE enough to change PLWHAs faces and
make them …….