AIDS - This plague that killed twenty million people hasn’t done with us yet. Unfortunately my great country Nigeria is on the edge of being destroyed.In Nigeria, HIV 1 - is the most prevalent virus (HIV - 1 is 90% - 95%, while HIV - 2 is 5% - 10%). Research shows that Nigeria is currently placed third in Africa with 5.4 million Nigerians already living with aids virus. It is estimated that the next three year, 1million Nigerian youths would have been infected. It is necessary to launch a major advocacy campaign to deal with this culture of silence about HIV/AIDS.

In Nigeria, taking Enugu State as a case study our research shows that majority of people are living with this deadly virus - HIV/AIDS and has perished following the prior of attacks by the virus.
HIV/AIDS records from University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (UNTH) shows below:
1995: 48 Patients 1996: 70 Patients 1997: 90 Patients 1998: 130 Patients 1999: 148 Patients 2000: 118 Patients 2001: 116 Patients

In the year 2000 and 2001 there was a decrease in the number of patients due to strike actions. And this is not realistic because of gross under-reporting, inadequate diagnostic facilities and official scenery in the country

Liberty4African is seeking for $50,000 to organize an HIV/AIDS awareness program for in-school youths, within the age bracket of 15 -45 years. And this happened to be the country’s working population.

However, Enugu North has various institutions namely IMT, ESUT, UNN and OSISA TECH. And other secondary and primary institutions. In my research I observed that 40% of students don’t use condom during sexual intercourse. While 30% practice safe sex but use inadequate condoms - which could probably bust during sex and 25% uses good condoms and preventive measures for oral sex. The other 5% occurs among people who use drugs, fourth fifth of who are men. Definitely this is not a good report for the leaders of tomorrow of my country.

AIDS has changed the personal as well as political - how we think and love, what we teach our children. Unfortunately some students/workers who are HIV/AIDS positive have been thrown out of school and work for testing positive. How do this people survive? How do they care for their loved ones? How do they fulfill their dreams in life? You and I can make a difference by reaching out. Permit me to quote here one young girl said “since I got the virus from men I am going to spread it to them I can’t die alone”. As you can see this is purely African mentality.

People ought to be encouraged to stop discrimination and stigmatization.

Summary of project: This will involve a five-day workshop on HIV/AIDS. The workshop will be uniformly organized to cub the spread of the disease and counseling. This will involve educational researchers, doctors, nurses, consultants, and professors, group of experts, administrators and students. Hence the program will be:

• Rally: A half-day rally in Enugu South, urban area displaying of posters, distribution of bills and flyers. In order to alert the public about the workshop program.
• Seminar: Three days seminar, which will consist of different activities for each day.
• Education on the origin of HIV/AIDS, the fate of the world, Africa towards AIDS. And the penalty of the 20th and 21st century.
• Education on the mode of transmission of STD’s HIV/AIDS. Its casualty organisms. Effect on various organisms and symptoms. There will be opportunity for questions.
• Pre-testing counseling on AIDS. The workshop will provide opportunity for individuals to confirm their HIV status.
• Short communication sections, covering a wide range of topics including learning and the Internet, AIDS economics and new technologies. Sections will conclude with general discussions on the topic, led by an open discussant. Abstract for short communication are invited.
• Entertainment, which will involve cultural activities performing groups, HIV video films and distribution of condoms and pamphlets.

Liberty4Africa is seeking for support and assistance to carry out this program for in-school youths in Enugu South urban area Enugu State.

Despite our general fund raising effort, our program budget is far from balance.

Undaunted, Liberty4Africa is an organization committed to excellence, with a clear vision and passion for delivering outstanding results. We ask you to work with us to capitalize our growth and strength. The challenge at this stage is to seize the opportunity take risk, to realize an innovation to fight the spread of this deadly virus in our society.

Liberty4Africa observed that the campaign will help in curbing the spread of the epidemic and involving particularly young men, more fully in the effort against AIDS. It is also to bring a much - need focus on men in national response to the epidemic and, to involve leaders, both at politicians and as individuals in taking action against AIDS.
L4A cares… do you?