It’s been four years now since the “Peer education club” in Pazardzhik exists. It implements activities under Component 7 – “Reducing vulnerability to HIV for young people at highest risk ( 15-24 ) by increasing the range of services and programs aimed at young people” which is part of the programme by Mynistry of Health “Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS”. In Pazardzhik this component is coordinated by Crime Prevention Fund - IGA.

The “Peer education club” - these are around 30 adolescents – boys and girls – who have chosen in their spare time to contrbute to a social-significant issue. What unites them is the idea that HIV/AIDS can be a threat to any of us and one should know his/hers HIV status. The young volunteers promote the risk-free behavior trough health education sessions, encourage their peers to test for HIV, organize demonstrations on how to put condoms on, make informal conversations, prepare and disseminate information materials, accompany to the Cabinets for anonymous, free testing and consulting for HIV/AIDS, attract followers. And mostly – give a personal example.

On October 12^th –Friday at 14:00h in the session hall of the municipal administration’s building in Panagyurishte an information campaign of the “Peer education club” took place. At the meeting were representatives from the target group of the Component 7 - young people at highest risk ( 15-24 ) and representatives of the relevant insitutions. The event continued with distribution of health education materials and condoms on the streets of Panagyurishte and the villages Buta, Popintsi.

The campaign was held with the courtesy of Panagyurishte municipal administration.