AIDS Awareness School Assemblies

1998 to Present - Georgia/USA

"The Real Truth" - RFFA's Factual AIDS Awareness School Assembly Program

Addressing the alarming growth rate of HIV/AIDS among young people in the United States, Marion Bunch and The Rotary Club of Dunwoody launched an AIDS education program in the fall of 1998.  Today, this school assembly program, designed to share basic information on HIV/AIDS, has gained momentum and is a key component of disease prevention among youth throughout District 6900.   AID Atlanta, a care and support organization, serves as Rotary’s critical, strategic partner by providing AIDS speakers for assemblies in Georgia schools on a statewide basis. This unique program introduces speakers, who currently have the HIV virus, to youth in middle and high schools.  These meeting occur through Rotary sponsored assemblies.   The primary purpose of every assembly is to challenge the teens’ attitude of “invincibility” to this disease and to teach them HIV facts.  Teenagers learn, from their peers, how easily the HIV virus may be contracted and what an incredible change it will bring to their lives.  The program is based upon abstinence and does not promote “safe sex”.

RESULTS

Since the education program began, 52 Rotary Clubs in USA District 6900 sponsor this powerful, realistic learning experience for 450,900 students in 160 schools.  Youth leaders in RYLA and Interact Clubs assist local Rotary Club communication efforts by creating “buzz” for the school meetings.  Rotarians (with the help of AID Atlanta) developed a package of materials for school administrators which clearly states Rotary’s commitment to youth and international health efforts.

Under the AIDS Education/Prevention Banner, Rotary Clubs clearly demonstrate the progressive nature of Rotary.  This program effectively utilizes the powerful credibility of Rotary and adds significance to the pandemic disease.

Sponsorship of in-school educational experiences, gives Rotary increased visibility in the community and the local press. Best of all, Rotary’s visibility is linked to important and sincere efforts to improve the lives of our youth.   Promoting health in young people promotes Rotary at its finest.

STEPS

• Go to http://www.rotarydistrict6900.org/index.php?pr=AIDS_Awareness for all program information
• View and download the Manuals in the Members Download section in The Real Truth category (login to see the Download option).
• Contact a local AIDS Support Organization in your area and discuss your needs. Be prepared to offer speakers travel expenses and a small donation for their time. See a list in the Members Download section under The Real Truth.
• Discuss plans with local school administration and district leadership.  Members of your own Clubs are vital in this effort.  Present the school administration manual to them as well as your public school officials.
• Schedule assemblies in middle and high schools with the principals.
• Have Rotarians introduce the speakers to the young audiences.  Have note cards and paper available for the students to write down anonymous questions for the Q & A session following the formal presentation.

ANCHOR Program

The Africa Network for Children Orphaned and at Risk (“ANCHOR”) is a multi-sectoral  partnership that was formed by RFFA to provide a program of care and support for 118,000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children in six countries in Africa during 2005 to 2010. The countries are South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire.

The partner organizations are:

• HOPE worldwide, a faith-based non-government organization that has a Best Practice Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) model program and a multi-country professional staff in Africa.
• RFFA mobilized the Rotary clubs in each country to provide volunteer support for this program.  The international Rotarians provided funding support for the education of the children through RFFA’s Orphan Rescue program.
• The Coca Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) which represents the largest multinational for profit corporation on the continent of Africa (Coca-Cola Systems).  They provided $1.2 Million USD as a sub grant to the primary funder (PEPFAR), as well as media support.
• Emory University Schools of Public Health and Nursing who established the Monitoring and Evaluation standards for the program.
• PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) was the primary funder of this program and provided $8.1 Million USD through USAID in six African countries over a five year period (2005 to 2010). 

See the below table for breakout of the results.

Kenya Medical Mission

In 2008, RFFA initiated and coordinated the largest medical mission ever done in the history of Rotary International. There were 72 Rotarian doctors, nurses and volunteers from 12 countries in the world who volunteered their time and paid their own way to Nairobi, Kenya. There were three medical areas served: an eye clinic, a dental clinic and a general health clinic. We attended to the health of over 10,000 children (one month to 24 years) in eight days in the informal settlements of Mathare, Makuru and Korogocho.   It took nine months to organize this effort; there were over 200 local volunteer Rotarians, Roteractors and medical students who served as the Host Country Volunteers. The “In-Kind” valuation of this Medical Mission was $1,000,000 USD.  It was funded through Matching Grants from USA Rotary Clubs, Districts and The Rotary Foundation. TCCAF provided $20,000 USD for some of the nurses’ travel expense. The doctors brought their own medical equipment; we provided free prescriptions, deworming medicine for everyone; and free eye glass frames. All necessary medical supplies were donated and brought with the team to the sites.

Mozambique

In 2008, RFFA joined forces with Canadian Rotary Clubs (through a Rotary group CRCID) and the Canadian Government and obtained $450,000 USD to begin an ANCHOR program in Mozambique.  This program was an 18 month program which was completed in 2009.  

Zimbabwe

RFFA,  HOPE worldwide and The Coca Cola Africa Foundation joined forces to help the OVC and families of this country last year during the Cholera outbreak.  TCCAF provided $100,000 in funds, and the RFFA Country team mobilized Rotarians into purchasing the food and soap; then creating a mass distribution effort.

Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation/Kenya

At the invitation of Buck Buckingham (former Director PEPFAR/Kenya and current PEPFAR Director of Field Programs/Africa), RFFA signed an MOU with the U.S. Office of Global AIDS Coordinator in Washington, D.C. in 2009 to be part of a huge Public/Private Partnership.  The Kenya Medical Mission was RFFA’s first offering under this Partnership.  An economic empowerment plan has been created to become a part of this program.

Chongwe School in Zambia

In 2009, the former  CEO of The Coca-Cola Systems and the RFFA team in Lusaka, Zambia agreed to join forces again to provide for the education of 240 Orphans and Vulnerable Children who live in a rural area of Zambia.  They were not allowed into the government school there, so the local community leaders, Rotarians and The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation agreed to complete the renovation of a community school together and provide the children with care and support.  HOPE worldwide provided professional staff support on the project.  Both TCCAF and RFFA provided $32,000 USD each, and the project which began in the Fall of 2009  was completed year end 2010.  RFFA facilitated the effort to obtain the Matching Grants from the host Rotary Club of Kusinta, Lusaka, Zambia with the international Rotary Clubs of Dunwoody, The Buckhead Rotary Club, Rotary District 6900/Georgia USA and Rotary District 7770/South Carolina USA.  Together with The Rotary Foundation, they acquired $32,000 USD to match TCCAF’s $32,000 USD.

Rotary Family Health Day

Saturday, April 30, 2011

What is Rotary Family Health Day? Rotary District 9200 Governor, Stephen Mwanje, in coordination with Marion Bunch, global leader of RFFA, decided that the District’s Rotarians At Work Day project held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 should address the critically important issue of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. Prevalence rates for HIV are high in these countries and many people do not know their HIV status. Rotary’s brand will make this a high profile event, thereby attracting the public to attend. In addition to HIV Testing and Counseling, a broad range of health services will be provided to motivate whole families to attend – including family planning education, diabetes testing, and provision of commodities such as insecticide treated bed nets, de-worming tablets, sanitary pads, and information on other health issues. Where Is It? (National in scope) UGANDA: 300 sites KENYA: 200 sites; ETHIOPIA: 20 sites (Addis Ababa only) When Is It? Saturday, April 30, 2011 Who is Involved and What Will They Do? District 9200: Peters Musoke: Rotarians at Work District Chair, and Eric Krystal: District HIV/AIDS Officer. Each country will have a RFFA Chair/Committee, and a Rotarians at Work Chair/Committee, who will mobilize and train the Rotary Clubs on the project. Each Rotary Club is asked to have at least ten Rotarians involved in this project. Rotaractors, Interactors and Rotary Community Corps youth will also be encouraged to join this effort. RFFA (Rotarians For Fighting AIDS) is a Rotarian Action Group approved by the Rotary International Board of Directors in 2003. RFFA has been fighting HIV/AIDS in eight countries in Africa for the past five years, responding to the needs of Rotary Clubs/Districts, and working in partnership with NGOs, private foundations and Ministries of Health to create large scale, sustainable solutions. District 9200 Rotarians, RFFA Country Teams and RFFA U.S. will mobilize the community into coming to the testing sites on April 30, 2011. They will obtain local donors and resources, be responsible for publicizing the event, and do the administrative work on that day. Rotaractors, Interactors and RCCs can reach out into the informal settlements to spread the word about the event. FHI is a global health and development organization that has been improving lives since 1971. Their rigorous, science-based approach builds programs that create lasting change. FHI will be responsible for all technical guidance, support for HIV counselors and follow-on services. Together, these partners are working in coordination and with the agreement of the Ministries of Health in each country.