Empowering People for Global Change
Whenever there is a force able to endanger the life and well-being of millions of people, there is a way to protect them and prevent an unfortunate course of events. Such an approach defines efforts to ensure global health as the main priority that requires health campaigns to organize effective efforts on a global scale. One crucial example of such an effort with positive implications is an organization dedicated to limiting the impact of HIV/AIDS among students from undeveloped countries.
The Threat of HIV/AIDS and Most Vulnerable Communities
The spread of the virus has little precedent and, according to the World Health Organization, more than 38 million people are diagnosed with HIV. This number continues to grow as more individuals are exposed to HIV and AIDS worldwide. Thus, the need for awareness campaigns is severe as one of the possible solutions to stop HIV.
The virus is spread disproportionally worldwide. In the United States, for instance, African Americans and Hispanics are the most impacted groups of the population. The threat is even bigger in the communities of African countries, where the lack of HIV/AIDS awareness in the villages is described as the leading cause of the disease.
Such villages and other remote locations lack the proper culture of intimate relationships and care during intimate moments. Unfortunately, a lot of case studies had prooved that the inability to recognize the symptoms of the virus leads to relationships that are potentially damaging. Many have no idea about prevention methods or the algorithm of action when HIV is suspected. These are the sad realities for many deprived of support and help.
The Power to Stop HIV/AIDS: Awareness through Educational Resources Worldwide
World leaders and health organizations have discussed the possible countermeasures since HIV/AIDS was first discovered. Currently, it is a shared responsibility of all to stop the spread and, among other things, deliver health services with a focus on AIDS education. By establishing the main problem areas, many organizations ask for help and launch programs dedicated to different causes that include but are not limited to:
- Increasing access to informational resources;
- Enabling people with fewer opportunities to consult with health care providers;
- Raising HIV awareness in Tanzania;
- Raising money through international funds.
Such programs often focus on accessible HIV testing, well-developed and easy-to-grasp training sessions with a simple yet informative HIV teaching manual that can be incorporated by different communities, namely, on the African continent and combat the epidemic. Moreover, they concentrate on education: students can make an essay order and blog posts to be published where many people can see them and read the provided material. The programs also create international channels for help and assistance, with volunteering being one of the most effective means of influence on the current situation in countries that are most vulnerable to HIV.
Volunteer Programs around the World
Volunteers are at the heart of every program and action, often developing a systematic approach to support vulnerable communities by mobilizing resources much faster in comparison with governmental and non-governmental health organizations in African Countries. Every volunteer is dedicated to the cause and puts maximum effort to enable isolated communities and those that have a weak educational and medical system to overcome the threat of HIV.
The most consistent group of volunteers is students. Students for international change are active participants in different programs and work hard with care providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to get the best results.
Many students are members of the support for international сhange (SIC) organization, are happy to volunteer and indicate that such experience changes not all the lives of other people but theirs as well by, for example, opening their eyes to the power of education and the practical effects it has on the vulnerable groups in Africa and other regions of the world.
Students can also be volunteer program coordinators and unite others in response to a crisis, especially in rural areas where comprehensive actions are long overdue. International programs have many students—including several from Harvard—serves as volunteer educators. A network involves many established educational institutions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries, including Europe and Asia.
Pieces Solving a Puzzle: Being a Part of a Solution for HIV
Students are a part of the largest system of change that is needed to minimize the negative impact of HIV on people. Students who apply to SIC and other organizations to promote change can either make the most of where they are by finding resources or relocating to be closer to people who need help.
Many volunteers who participate in the program called Students for International Change choose to live with families located in the communities that need the most support. In addition to providing assistance and educating people about the symptoms of HIV and ways to prevent the virus from spreading, they learn about other cultures and reinforce their cultural competence that helps, in turn, to embrace diversity and globalization with the healthcare systems in the United States and other states.
Apart from students, global efforts appreciate the participation of educators of different levels. Every teacher can contribute immensely by using their experience and skills to communicate ideas that help others understand the nature of HIV.
A special focus is placed on psychological support due to the fact that many families can dismiss their members for catching a virus and bringing shame on them. Notably, shame and the fear of being judged and isolated on a social level are among the reasons that lead to unfavorable outcomes for infected individuals. Every person should have someone to ask for help and receive support and that is the message that every HIV/AIDS prevention educator, teacher, and student should state clearly because it can save lives.
It is the simple acts of kindness and support that keep the most dangerous disease and viruses at bay. This approach includes HIV as thousand of volunteers act every day to help and include:
- Organized educational seminars;
- Sessions with psychologists;
- Anonymous and available mobile testing;
- Organizations that provide contraceptives for poor students.
Many resources are also created for those who want to be a part of the global effort but do not know who they can possibly contribute. Many indicate that reading article reviews and communicating directly with people who have been in Tanzania and other areas has changed their perception of the whole situation. Thus, it is important that every person finds encouragement and means to make a difference, no matter how small, in the fight for health and well-being.
Creating the Picture of Healthy Communities Together
Today the world is united to stay strong in the struggle against crippling and dangerous phenomena and circumstances, many of which include viruses, the lack of knowledge and limited awareness about possible solutions. Companies, organizations, and institutions that play a part in their respective communities and have the power to train and inspire future leaders to increase their participation in programs dedicated to the change for the better. Every student, teacher, and educator can help simply by supporting the cause and spreading the educational process.
