Silver Spring, Maryland--The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is
combating the spread of HIV and AIDS in Togo through educational programs
that raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

According to the Integrated Regional Information Network, Togo, a small
country of five million people, has the third highest prevalence of HIV and
AIDS in West Africa with some 200,000 HIV-positive people in Togo.

ADRA Togo's HIV and AIDS awareness project, implemented in collaboration
with the Red Cross and a local health center, involves staff visiting
villages throughout Togo, discussing subjects such as HIV prevention,
symptoms, contamination, and attitudes towards those who are affected.
During the programs, peer educators perform skits, songs, dances, poems, and
other entertainment education to teach students about the disease. Attendees
also participate in question and answer games about HIV and AIDS.

In October alone, the sessions impacted nearly 1200 students and their
teachers. The majority of these students come from poor rural areas and are
between the ages of 12 and 24. The entire project, which is valued at more
than $36,000, began in January 2006 and is scheduled to end in December.

"This well-received project is making a positive impact in the lives of
students through education, prevention, and awareness initiatives," said
Todd Reese, country director for the ADRA Togo office. "In the face of a
disease that is preventable, communities have the power to help stop the
spread of the disease by administering prevention and education programs,
reducing stigma, and supporting their neighbors already infected with the
virus,"
Reese finished.

The discrimination and stigmatization faced by people living with HIV and
AIDS is so extreme that many who test positive do not want to disclose their
status for fear of being rejected by their own families, friends, and
community, noted Reese. The impact of stigma in Togo is currently very high
due to cultural perceptions. This is especially true in rural communities
where the neglect sufferers endure increases their vulnerability and speeds
their deaths.

The ADRA office in Togo also plans to start a new three-year HIV and AIDS
project in January 2007 with funding from the Swedish International
Development Agency through a donation by the Swedish Mission Council through
the ADRA office in Sweden.

ADRA has been working in collaboration with communities in Togo since the
country office was established in 1988. Through a wide range of projects in
the area of health care, education, food security, and HIV prevention and
awareness, ADRA Togo strives to meet the needs of the Togolese people.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and
emergency management without regard to political or religious association,
age, gender, or ethnicity.