Chris Ocowun
27 November 2008
Kampala — SAVE the Children Uganda is conducting an HIV/AIDS and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) campaign in primary schools and villages in Gulu and Amuru districts.
Pamela Grace Lanyero, the coordinator, said they had received over sh1.5b to offer packages to children and youth living with HIV/AIDS.
Lanyero said the organisation had constructed five model centres in Gulu and Amuru, where VCT services are conducted. The centres have counsellors, peer educators and other HIV/AIDS facilities for the children.
"We want to train some of the children living with HIV/AIDS as role models to champion the prevention campaign," she said.
Lanyero added that children living with HIV/AIDS need guidance and follow-up so that they do not run out of drugs and re-infect others with the virus.
Many of the children being tested for HIV/AIDS are in P5 to P7.
The organisation's regional HIV/AIDS specialist, Edmond Kertho, said there was need to empower the teachers to talk to the children about HIV/AIDS.
Save the Children is working together with Gulu Youth Centre and Health Alert Uganda to conduct the campaign.
Benon Orach, the project officer for Youth HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, said they have 600 registered members of the Youth Peer Educators' clubs who help sensitise the children and youth on positive living.
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