by Alisha
World AIDS Day (December 1st) has arrived in Chota. This year Micah and I wanted to do several activities to bring HIV and AIDS awareness to our community. Where we live there are presumed to be a low number of HIV/AIDS cases; however, reliable data isn’t kept for our region. 
While HIV/AIDS are thought to be of a greater program in coastal areas and in jungle regions we felt strongly about bringing more attention to these diseases. Especially necessary is more information and education in the areas of prevention and understanding that this is a disease that can effect anyone not just certain populations.
Activities started off with a parade of health workers and our youth health promoters. We handed out information on HIV/AIDS.
On World AIDS Day we ran an art contest at one of the high schools and asked students to paint pictures depicting the prevention of HIV/AIDS or something representing that people living with HIV/AIDS should not be discriminated against. 
We had some really great submissions from which we choose winners and finalists who will receive sets of art supplies. All of the artwork will also be displayed in the local cultural center through the month of December.
Today our group of youth health promoters presented a play to around 200 students from their school. It was great to see how each of them improved as we prepared for the shows today. All of them took pride in the endeavor and tomorrow they plan to present the play at the local jail.
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