HIV Awareness Program

In 2006, CSG initiated a HIV Awareness Program that was implemented to various degrees in the Salem and Namakkal districts in Tamil Nadu.  The growing number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in its project areas, and the increasing national attention being given to the issue spurred the organization to address this problem in whatever manner possible.  CSG first formed these women into groups, which was itself not without problems given the widespread stigma and fear of those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and the reluctance of many with the virus to come forward to get help or support.

Groups were used with the following primary objectives – to raise awareness of the virus, allay misplaced fears and combat false stigmas, provide help and support to those infected, and create a safe forum to encourage open discussion and air concerns.  There were groups that included both women suffering from the disease and those who were not, as well as groups that were created to aid only those with HIV/AIDS.

In Thiruchengode (Namakkal district), over 750 women were helped through training and education aimed at raising awareness of various aspects of the disease – causes, how infection spreads, preventative methods, etc., – and providing information to group members in order to fight stigmas placed on women and others suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Something similar was done in other parts of the Namakkal district with over 5,000 people, in collaboration with organizations such as the T.T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Institute.  Also in Namakkal, CSG conducted an outreach program through the one of the PPKs (Pengal Pannokku Kootamaippu - former groups of CSG that had become self-reliant), in collaboration with TTK Products.

At the request of the YWCA (which was functioning as the nodal agency for APAC/USAID), CSG was one among various NGOs working to raise awareness about the issue in the Salem district.  CSG was assigned 20 villages from which 40 volunteers were selected to implement the program.  These volunteers were given the necessary training on HIV/AIDS, and methods such as street theater, songs and rallies to raise awareness.  Self-help group members from our other programs in the area were also given training so they could pass on their knowledge to other villagers, and encourage people from these 20 villages to undergo the screening test.  Moreover, CSG also conducted peer education training for the volunteers on how to do house visits, identify HIV victims, encourage them with help and support, and maintain confidentiality.  Volunteers were furnished with information about the use and benefits of protection such as condoms, and posters were displayed in prominent places so as to encourage preventative methods and offer better access to information.  In cooperation with the staff of the Integrated Child Development Scheme, CSG also focused on identifying children infected with HIV, and offering them access to information, help and support.

Once funding for this program came to end, the project was integrated with CSG’s Salem Women Development Scheme in both the Salem and Namakkal districts.