While the overall national incidence rate of HIV in Vietnam shows signs of decline, new infections continue to be detected. Although the epidemic mainly concentrates in a number of high risk populations, evidence shows that young people are among the most vulnerable groups for infection while they are the generation where the country needs to build its future on.
An active teaching and learning approach is one the most effective ways to build the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills with young people to protect themselves against infection and to develop supportive behaviors towards people and children affected by HIV.
On 4 December 2010, VVOB supported five events marking World AIDS Day in teacher training institutes in Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai. World AIDS Day is globally organized on 1 December, dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. In Vietnam, World AIDS Day is part of the national action month for HIV/AIDS prevention and control; in 2010 organized from 10 November to 10 December.
Over 3000 student teachers and 100 teacher trainers participated in the 5 simultaneously organized events. They were joined by provincial officials and media. The teacher training institutes, Youth Union and Women’s Union cooperated in the organization and facilitation, with active participation of student teachers.
The events were a mix of information and communication sessions, plays, music and dance performances concluded by the ‘Condom Chain of Life’ competition.
VVOB cooperated with Save the Children and UNICEF in preparing the information and communication sessions. One session focused on the new curriculum on HIV and reproductive health for secondary school students, developed by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) with support from Save the Children. The other session introduced the booklet ‘Facts about children and HIV/AIDS’, developed by MOET in cooperation with the United Nations. Both sessions were earlier prepared during a workshop in Hanoi on 12 November together with Women’s Union, Youth Union, UNICEF and Save the Children.
All five events culminated in the ‘Condom Chain of Life’ competition. Different teams of students competed in an effort to tie the longest chain of condoms. This was not an easy task since all condoms were packed and treated with lubricant. The number of teams, the number of students per team and the competition duration differed slightly among the institutes. All together hundreds of meters of condom chain were produced.
The competition wanted to highlight the fact that correct and consistent use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
DKT International made thousands of the famous ‘OK’ condoms (with strawberry, orange and natural flavors) and ‘Chim Sao’ condoms available for the competition. Population Services International supported by providing expired ‘Number 1’ condoms which were used during the preparation of the competition. UNAIDS gave T-shirts and World AIDS Day info packages to the winning teams.
Besides condoms, a number of other materials were distributed to the student teachers including the booklet ‘Facts about children and HIV/AIDS’, 2 teacher handbooks related to the new HIV and reproductive health curriculum, and the information and advocacy brochure developed by VVOB.
