NEWS


Life is priceless

On the occasion of 1st December – the World AIDS Day, the volunteers from the Club “Peers Train Peers”, which is part of Fund – IGA, conducted series of events on the territory of Pazardzhik Municipality.
On 27th November they organized a health-education session in the Crisis Centre – Peshtera. During the next days they conducted a campaign in the Professional Secondary School of Clothing in Pazardzhik and in the villages Patalenitsa and Kalugerovo. The campaign continued on 1st December in Velingrad where the volunteers distributed condoms and information materials to the people.
Club “Peers Train Peers” has been functioning in Pazardzhik since 2009. It has been implementing its activity within the framework of Component 7 “Reducing vulnerability to HIV of the young people at the highest risk (15-24) by extending the range of services and programmes directed to youngsters”, which is part of the Programme of the Ministry of Healthcare “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control”.

In Pazardzhik this Component has been coordinated by Crime Prevention Fund – IGA.

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Life is priceless

On December the 1^st – world day for fighting AIDS, the “”Peer education” club at IGA fund implemented an ambitious programme of events. They started at the beginning of the week (Nov. 26^th) in the village of Patalenitsa, where volunteers made a presentation on : “HIV/AIDS – spreading, protection and treatment ”. On Tuesday they visited   “Asen Zlatarov” secondary school in the village of Chernogorovo and during the next days the campaign continued in the towns Septemvri and Peshtera. On November 30^th on the streets of Pazardzhik- in offices, institutions and locales disseminated health-educational materials and condoms to promote the programme’s objective: redusing the vulnerability to HIV of young people at greatest risk ( 15-24 y.o.)

On December the 1^st the Peer education club – Pazardzhik and their peers from the Accommodation center for families and the Transitional homes – Brastigovo went to Haskovo, where they participated in the Anti-HIV/AIDS of the volunteers there.

These events are part of the National campaign for the World day for fighting AIDS. The motto this year is “Life’s priceless”.

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National workshop on “Peer education club” approach

From 7^th to 9^th of November in Sofia was held a National workshop on which was presented the experience of “PETRI-Sofia - an International center for trainings and studies” on the “Peer club” method and the role of the National center for public health and analysis (NCPHA) for the sexual and reproductive health of young people in Bulgaria, east European countries, Central Asia and the rest.

In the workshop participated the youth coordinators from the Peer clubs and representatives from all 18 NGOs which apply this method.

The goal of the event was to disseminate and to get the national institutions and partners informed on the activities of International center for trainings and studies PETRI-Sofia within the framework of (NCPHA) regarding implementation of the” Peer club”” method.

The national institutions, representatives of local authorities and those of the partner-NGOs , were introduced to the structure and work of PETRI-Sofia and the international role of Bulgaria and NCPHA in particular as a partner of the UN Fund for population, promoting sexual and reproductive health of young people in the region.

During the workshop were discussed the possibilities for registration of Y-PEER network for peers’ coaches based on Youth Act and the interaction and roles of the coordinators and the youth coordinators of the NGO clubs operating under Component 7, which represent the Bulgarian Y-PEER network.

Foundation “Crime prevention fund – IGA” is one of the NGOs, which has been applying this method since 2009 within the “ HIV/AIDS prevention and control” programme and also coordinates the work of the “Peer education club” in Pazardzhik city.

 

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Information campaign in Panagyurishte

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.

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Young volunteers from across the country were trained at Kovachevtsi

Regarding the International day for solidarity with those affected by HIV/AIDS which was celebrated on May 20^th, the volunteers from ” Peer education club” – Pazardzhik held the latest informational campaign with the participation of Regional Health Inspection (RHI) office officials, the Offices for anonymous and free counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS (OAFCTA), program manager and representatives of institutions involved with this issue. After meeting at the center (so called “The Cake”) volunteers walked the streets handling out free condoms and information materials. The achieved results were: over 500 citizens reached, 1600 condoms distributed and around 400 health education materials.

On April 24^th two volunteers from “Peer education club” held in front of Roma children in Kovachevo village( municipality of Septemvri) a health education session on “HIV/AIDS prevention”. With the help of a multimedia presentation the volunteers introduced information on HIV/AIDS and familiarized pupils with the nature of HIV-infection. The children learned what actions should be taken to protect themselves and others form the infection and the associated fear of discrimination. A practical demonstration for putting a condom took place. In emotional and friendly atmosphere trainees actively participated in the exercises. They asked questions and received comprehensive and competent answers. After the training they took along some health information materials.

A health-education session took place in the Crisis centre for individuals and children victims of abuse – Peshtera on 19^th March. The subject was “Sexually transmitted infections” (STI) and the participants were minor girls accommodated in the centre. Information about the way of catching a sexually transmitted infection was presented very accessibly and with a particular focus on the details. Also, information about what we must do if we are infected was given. The volunteers from “Peer Education” Club focused on the prevention of STI and directed the young people to the places for examination. The participants asked questions and shared their personal stories in the friendly and confidential atmosphere of the session. The volunteers sympathized them

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 Saint Valentine’s day

On January 14 the volunteers from “Peer Education” Club took part in their first campaign for the year. They gave out information materials and condoms on the streets of Pazardzhik. The red heart-shaped balloons contributed a lot to the holiday mood. They raised a lot of smiles among the fellow citizens – not only among the young people but also among the old-aged who were congratulating the volunteers on the initiative. In the afternoon hours the volunteers continued their activity in their schools where they made presentations and gave out health-education materials

 

 

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 The first health-education session for 2012 took place in the village of Patalenitsa

A health-education session with children, who participate in the project “One more chance”, took place on January 23. The volunteers presented the subject “Sexual roles, sexual identity and problems related to them”. The focus was on explaining the differences and their perception by the society, the sexual roles and the mass media. Different social cases were discussed. The volunteers presented the information in an innovative and amusing way by applying interesting exercises and role playing games. The participants were active – they were asking questions, they recreated their ideas and made interesting collages.

Fund IGA held its annual intra-institutional meeting on 29th December in the conference hall of hotel “Borika” in Ravnogor. Experts from the organization presented the results of the realization of the health programmes of the Ministry of health. The activities under component 4 of the programme “Improving the tuberculosis control in Bulgaria”, component 4 of the national programme “Stabilization of the national programme for tuberculosis in Bulgaria” and component 7 of the programme “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” were presented. Representatives of institutions from Pazardzhik, Septemvri and Peshtera took part. The health programmes have been financed by the Global fund for fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

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Condomize yourself! 

Crime Prevention Fund – IGA marks 1st December - the World AIDS Day for another consecutive year by initiating a lot of activities. An event, in which more than 70 boys and girls from Pazardzhik, Rakitovo and Bratsigovo participated, took place yesterday at 13:30 in complex – “Imperial”, Pazardzhik. A presentation, a sending of messages, a theatrical play and a lot of music were provided for the young people. The preparation and the realization of the event are done by the volunteers of “Peer Education” Club. This club has been working in Pazardzhik for 3 years within the framework of the Programme “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” of the Ministry of health, Component 7 “Reducing the vulnerability to HIV among young people who are at the greatest risk by increasing the range of services and programmes aimed at adolescents.” Throughout this whole day the volunteers will give out information materials and condoms to the young people of Pazardzhik. The team of IGA which works under Component 4 of the Programme “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” – “Outreach work with people injecting drugs” will conduct an informative meeting today with representatives of the aimed group in Peshtera as well as with their relatives. A major topic of the meeting is “Ways for protection from AIDS infection”. Outreach assistants will give out booklets on health and condoms in Pazardzhik, Zvanichevo and the two gipsy neighbourhoods in Peshtera.
This year the campaign is aimed at the popularization of the low risk sexual behaviour, the use of condoms, as well as at the tolerant treatment of people having HIV / AIDS. The campaign motto is “Condomize yourself!” and in this way it tries to provoke and to remind us that the regular and proper use of condoms is an effective way to protect from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The programme “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” has been financed by the Global fund for fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The events are part of the national campaign on the occasion of the World AIDS Day.

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 Zvanichevo – host to a health education session 

The community centre “Zvezda” – Zvanichevo played host to a health education session on the subject “Prevention of HIV / AIDS”. The young people not only received health education materials on the subject but also learned useful and accessible information – what AIDS is, what HIV is and how the virus, which causes the infection, is transmitted. The myths for the virus transmission were presented. The AIDS symptoms, the additional infections and diseases and how a person can find that they are infected by the virus were discussed. The focus was on the ways of protection. A demonstration of how to put on a condom was made. The participants were asking questions mostly in regard to the ways of how to find the virus, whether there are medicines and vaccines for AIDS etc.

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 In the Complex for social services for children and families - Bratsigovo 

“Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” was the subject of the health education session held in Bratsigovo on 18 November. The volunteers from “Peer Education” Club delivered a presentation on the subject in front of the young people from the Complex for social services for children and families. They presented to the participants in the session both the distinction of the concepts HIV and AIDS and the ways of transmission and protection of HIV / AIDS. They tried to form a kind of responsible sexual behaviour in their young peers by developing their personal abilities and communication skills. The focus was on the methods for protection of HIV. A special case was presented to the participants and being divided into groups they pondered on the possible effective solutions. Health information materials and condoms were distributed.

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 A session in Kovachevo 

 The school in Kovachevo played host to a successive health education session on the subject “Psychoactive substances”. The session was held on 8th November. The volunteers from “Peer Education” Club presented in an accessible way to the gypsy students the motives for drug use and its consequences. They described the different types of drugs according to their effects and focused on the consequences of drug use. They kept the interest of the pupils who were asking questions and giving different examples of the effects of drugs on human behaviour. The focus was on the ways of saying “No” to risk behaviour. The participants were very active and received information materials for further reference.

 

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 At a meeting with young people from the gypsy community 

A health education session on the subject “Against psychoactive substances” was held at a meeting with representatives of the gypsy community at 27th September. 46 alumni from the elementary school “L. Karavelov” in the town took part in the session. The aim of the session was to give precise information to the participants about drug use and its consequences, to teach them recognize the types of risk behaviour, to clarify their attitude to drug use and describe the different kinds of drugs in accordance to their effects. The major focus was on the knowledge of the drug use consequences. Some of the adolescents told that they had seen people who took drugs and described the symptoms. The discussion was dynamic and useful. The participants in the session received information materials on the subject.

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Training in Velingrad

Training of the young people from “Peer Education” Club took place in the conference hall of hotel Elbrus – Velingrad on 12th and 13th September. The trainers – Svetla Davcheva, Valentina Gesheva – a coordinator under component 4 and Nadezhda Hristova- a nurse delivered lectures on the subject “Sexual health and prevention of HIV / AIDS”.
14 people took part in the training. One of its aims was to increase the competence of the volunteers in working among young people in risk according to the “Peer Education” Club’s approach. Accessible information about HIV / AIDS was provided for the participants. The trainers worked to develop skills for an assertive behaviour and delaying sex. The focus was on outreach working as well as on discussing special cases from the practice. The volunteers developed their teamwork skills.

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A health education session in Rakitovo

 

A health education session on the subject “Against psychoactive substances” was held on 12th September in the Correctional boarding school - Rakitovo. 13 of the adolescents who live there participated in the session. Representatives of “Peer Education” Club delivered a presentation and distributed information materials. The aim of the session was to give precise information to the participants about drug use and its consequences – to make them recognize the types of risk behaviour and clarify their attitude to drug use, describe the different kinds of drugs in accordance to their effects and realize the consequences of drug use. The participants showed activity and competence on the subject and told about incidents which they had witnessed.

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 The volunteers from “Peer Education” Club in Peshtera

 

The volunteers from “Peer Education” Club held a health education session on the subject “Contraception and birth control” on 25th August in Peshtera. The information session took place in the Crisis centre for children and individuals who are victims of abuse.
At this session the volunteers helped the participants to recognize the stages of making a decision and more specifically the decision to make sex and the matters of contraception and giving birth. There was a group discussion and everyone expressed their personal opinion with regard to giving birth and contraception. Some of the female participants spoke openly about their personal experience. The focus was on the use of condoms.

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  Club “PE” - on a visit in Rakitovo

Despite being in a summer vacation, the young volunteers from the Club “PE” did not give up from their activity for a realization of their tasks within the framework of Component 7 of the Programme “Prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS. An aim of the component is to reduce vulnerability to HIV among the young people who are in the greatest risk (at the age 15-24), by widening the range of services and programmes directed to adolescents.
At the end of July the young volunteers visited the Correctional boarding school – Rakitovo and conducted another of their health education sessions in front of 20 alumni of the school. The main topic that the volunteers presented was “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS”, but gradually it expanded and covered the topic of drugs as well the relation of drugs to the dangerous disease. The young people from CBS were very active in the discussion of the topic and demonstrated good knowledge of its main aspects.

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   An exhibition “The world through my eyes”

The young people from the “Peer Education” Club (PE) in Pazardzhik who work on Component 7 of the Program “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS” carried out their next initiative. It is part of the national campaign “The young people in action” of the International Y-PEER network in Bulgaria. The young people from Club “PE” staged an exhibition of paintings and photographs under the title of “The world through my eyes” in the lobby of the town hall of Pazardzhik. Their peers from Gabrovo and Pernik have chosen the same way to express their attitude to the topic. The exhibition is staged in the lobby of the town hall of Pazardzhik from August 1st to August 10th. It contains 32 photographs and paintings on the topic.
The Club “Peer Education” has been functioning in Pazardzhik for 3 years as part of Component 7 of the Program “Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS”. The aim of the component is to reduce young people’s vulnerability to HIV, especially of those who are in the greatest risk (at the age 15-24), by widening the scope of services and programs directed to adolescents.

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 Girls from the Club “PE” visited a Home for disabled children 

The young people from the “Peer Education” Club carried out their next session on health education in June. This time the topic was “How do I look at my body” and the target of the activity were children and adolescents from the Day Centre for Disabled Children in Belovo.
The aim of the session was to help the participants to get to know themselves and gain more self-confidence – to find their advantages and to understand how to improve them. That is why they were first provoked to draw a picture of their desires and after that to share it with the others. Although this time the session was more difficult than usual, the trainers from the Club “PE” coped perfectly with their task. They established contact with the young people and this led to a beneficial dialogue with them. The volunteers showed creativity and managed to overcome their fears which originated from the differences between them and the children brought up in centres.

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Campaign for solidarity with victims of AIDS

 

(2011)Together with the “Regional Health Inspection” (RHI), “Cabinets for Anonymous and Free Counseling and Testing for HIV / AIDS” (CAFCTA) and young people from the Free Elective Training (FET) in health education in schools in Pazardzhik, almost all members of the Club "Peer Education” took part in the procession on the “Day Empathy with Victims of AIDS.” In Island Park "Freedom" with lighted candles they painted red ribbon - a symbol of sympathy. The campaign continued with the distribution of brochures and condoms in the sites, in which Club operates - around schools, cafes and streets of the city. Due to the presence of laboratory assistants from CAFCTA, part of the participants had made and testing for HIV status.

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 Monitoring on site

(2011)On May 2, under Component 7 of the Programme "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS", a team of Sofia, coordinating implementation of this component, visited Fund - IGA, to monitor and evaluate the organization’s activities. The meeting was attended by the K7 coordinator, the trainer and manager of the Club "Peer Education" to the Fund - IGA and part of the Club’s team. In addition to the evaluation meeting, the program representatives were directly acquainted with the work of young people on several of the sites - Internet club, square in front of the Town Theater, the main street and others. The young people had the opportunity to ask questions to the monitoring team as well to share concrete experiences and the most common problems when working in the field.

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  Club "PE" - in the village Karabunar

 

(2011)Young people from Club “Peer Education” held its next health education session in the village Karabunar, Municipality of September. They delivered to their peers - Roma children, a presentation with topic "Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” The youth Roma showed very good awareness and even took part in the demonstrations on the placement of a condom. Some of them actively participated in the discussion about shared by periodic attempts at their integration into risky behavior. In a free and predisposing call they received advices and models and examples of behavior from their peer-trainers.

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  Health education session in September

(2011)Yesterday in Septemvri was held health-educational session with students from the municipality. A team volunteers from club “Peer Education” presented information on HIV / AIDS. The young trainers addressed in detail the questions: What is HIV? What is AIDS? How are people infected with HIV? How the disease occurs? etc. The presentation was focused on HIV testing and prevention from infection. The volunteers from the “Peer Education” did a demonstration to put condom.
Despite the initial tension and some discomfort among young people by September, between educators and students, was received very good feedback and the session ended with the satisfaction of both parties.
Club “Peer Education” is implemented under Component 7 of the Programme "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS at the Ministry of Health.

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   Volunteers Club

(2011)On 14 February the Crime Prevention Fund - IGA took actively part in the National AIDS Campaign with its activities under Components 4 and 7 of the "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS” under the Ministry of Health. At 14.00 in "Ustrem" hall of the “Youth Center” the volunteers from Club "Peer Education" in Component 7 made a presentation entitled: "HIV / AIDS - dissemination, prevention, treatment.” In the afternoon and evening hours on city streets and cafes they gave out health educational materials. On 15 February the presentation was presented at the community center “Razvitie”, town of Peshtera and the same day the young people visited the “Crisis Center for Children and Persons Affected by Violence.” The specialists, working under Component 4 "Reducing vulnerability to HIV of injecting drug users by increasing the scope of the group with a complete package preventive interventions" have held and information meeting in the Roma neighborhood in Peshtera, which presented the topic and gave health information materials.

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   And Belovo with an exhibition against AIDS 

An exhibition dedicated to the World Day to Combat AIDS, opened on December 21st at the community center “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” – Belovo. This is the third city which is visited by the exhibition. It includes drawings of young people from Crisis Centres and Protected Housing for Young People - Pazardjik, children with juvenile delinquents, neglected children and children dropping out of school in Pazardzhik. With their paintings, they send their messages on the topic of HIV / AIDS.
Organizer of the event is the Crime Prevention Fund – IGA, with the association of the Local Commission for Anti-Social Behaviour of Minors (LCASBM), Belovo.
The opening was attended by Commission President Andrey Genov, high school students from “Alexander Ivanov – Chapai,” Belovo, representatives of institutions and children from LCASBM.
The event takes place within the Component 7 “Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people most at risk (15-24) by increasing the scope of services and programs aimed at young people,” Programme “Prevention and Control HIV / AIDS” at the Ministry of Health, which is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

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 Meeting of the institutions 

Traditional inter-institutional meeting for activities under Component 4 and 7 of the "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS at the Ministry of Health, was carried out by Fund - IGA.
On 17 December at the conference hall of complex "Imperial" in Pazardzhik representatives of various institutions were acquainted with the results of the two components of the program - "Reducing vulnerability to HIV in injecting drug users by increasing the scope of the group with a complete package of preventive interventions” and “Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people at greatest risk (15 - 24 years) by increasing the range of services and programs aimed at youths”. At the meeting present were HEI representatives, police, hospitals, schools, Red Cross and the administrations of several municipalities of Pazardjik.
The programs are funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In Pazardjik their coordination is entrusted to for Crime Prevention Fund - IGA.

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  Travelling exhibition of paintings by children at risk

On 9 December at 14.30 hours in the Municipality Septemvri’s lobby was opened Exhibition dedicated to the World Day to Combat AIDS (1 December). It included drawings of young people in Crisis Centres, children with juvenile delinquents, neglected children and children dropping out of school in Pazardzhik region.
The exhibition has already been presented in Pazardzhik Municipality and after Septemvri will visit Belovo.
Exhibition’s organizer is the Fund for Crime Prevention - IGA, which governs the implementation of Component 7 "Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people most at risk (15-24) by increasing the scope of services and programs aimed at young people" within the Programme "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS” at the Ministry of Health.
The program is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The event is part of a national campaign on the occasion of World Day against AIDS.
On the photo (photo): Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of September Vasil Kadiyski opened the exhibition

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   Fund - IGA with a series of events to mark World Day to Combat AIDS

On 30 November at 11.30 am in the lobby of Pazardzhik Municipality was opened the exhibition for 1 December - World Day to combat AIDS. The exhibition consist paintings by young people in Crisis Centres, children with juvenile delinquents, neglected children and children dropping out of school in municipality of Pazardzhik. With the art they send their messages on HIV / AIDS with the idea that only united can we can overcome the disease. The exhibition was opened by the Mayor of Pazardjik Todor Popov. Its organizer is the Fund - IGA, which governs the implementation of Component 7 “Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people most at risk (15-24) by increasing the scope of services and programs aimed at young people,” in within the Programme “Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS” at the Ministry of Health. The program is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the event is part of a national campaign on the occasion of World Day against AIDS. The campaign continued with a happening in restaurant “Imperial,” which included 60 boys and girls from Pazardzhik and Bratsigovo. Today collaborators Fund - IGA, working on components of the program will take part in the national campaign to distribute informational materials and condoms in Pazardzhik and Peshtera.

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Only in two days - campaign Club 

 On 25 and 26 September trainers from Club “Peer Education” have organized and conducted a campaign under the locally performed by Fund - IGA program of "Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS” Component 7: "Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people at greatest risk (15-24) by increasing the range of services and programs aimed at youths.” The first health education session was held in the town of Bratsigovo in HCDPC “Vasil Petleshkov.” The training involved 34 boys and girls from home. In the session was presented specific information on HIV infection and AIDS, aimed at changing attitudes to AIDS positive. Young people were thoroughly introduced to the examination methods and referred to the offices of Cabinets for anonymous and free counseling and testing for HIV / AIDS (CAFCTA). The participants showed activity and asked many questions on the topic, as shared their expectations, concerns and attitudes. During the event were distributed health-educational materials. On day two, young trainers have visited their peers in CBS “Angel Uzunov,” Rakitovo. In the training session were involved all graduates of the home - a total of 70 people. After a presentation on the topic, housed in CBS young people actively participated in an informal conversation with members of the Club "Peer Education". Thus led to more informal and friendly atmosphere in which they asked questions and reached the information more easily and qualitatively. Graduates of CBS - Rakitovo showed real interest in the issue. They shared with their peers emotional problems and received appropriate support.

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  Health education session in Pestera 

Health education session on HIV / AIDS prevention was held on March 30 in Pestera Town. The event was hosted by the “Crisis Center for children and victims of violence in the municipal center.”
The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness among residents about the nature of HIV infection, actions to take to protect themselves and others from infection and the associated fear and discrimination. Presented were ten facts about HIV / AIDS and were included several sessions as: “Let's talk about AIDS,” “Attitudes to AIDS,” etc.
Within the session was held a free discussion about risk behavior and decision making. The discussion has provoked activity and created an atmosphere of sharing.

 

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Among the youth in the local school dormitory

 

On 24.02.2010, in the dormitory at “George Benkovski” school in Pazardzhik was carried out one of the activities of peer educators, aimed at young people, namely consulting and motivation on HIV, STIs, safer sex and testing for AIDS. Distributed were health education materials and condoms. Safe sexual behavior was promoted. Interest in the topic was great. The children asked questions and discussed issues of risk behavior and consequences for their lives and their future. 

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   Poll of the level of health awareness among young people at risk

АнPoll of the level of health awareness among young people at risk In the end of the past year (2009) was held a survey on the HIV/AIDS health level of awareness among 200 young people. They are beneficiaries under Component 7: "Reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people most at risk (aged between 15 to 24) by increasing the range of services and programs aimed at young people". Purpose of the study was also popularization of information about possible risks associated with sexual behavior. The questions had to call young people’s attention and focus their thinking onto responsible personal behavior and not least to provoke attitudes of tolerance and humane treatment to those who are already victims of AIDS. The results and conclusions of the study were summarized in a work meeting with representatives of the involved with the problem institutions and organizations in the territory of municipality of Pazardzhik - Regional Inspectorate for Protection and Control of Public Health (RIPCPH), District Police Directorate, Police Department Pazardjik and September, Local Commission for Anti-Social Behavior of Minors – Pazardzhik (LCASBM) and others. The project is realized within the program "Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS”, implemented by the Ministry of Health and funded by the “Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria”.

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 Anti AIDS campaign of Fund IGA

Media campaign on the occasion of December 1 - World Day to combat AIDS, was held this week by Fund - IGA. It was held within the program "Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS, Component 7 “Reduce vulnerability to HIV among risk young people (15-24) by increasing the range of services and programs aimed at youth”. For the program’s realization, Fund - IGA has a contract with the Ministry of Health.
The campaign started with a working meeting between all components in the Youth Center and continued with a seminar on HIV / AIDS prevention with children from the Child Pedagogical Room, Pazardjik, in the Local Commission for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency’s (LCPJD) hall and traditional distribution of information materials to children in risk of dropping out of school.
The campaign continued on the streets, where young people promoted the program’s objective - reducing vulnerability to HIV among young people most at risk (15-24) through the distribution of informational materials in streets, offices, institutions, restaurants. Distribution of information materials and condoms continued throughout the day and not only in Pazardzhik, but in the city of Peshtera and the village of Zvanichevo.
The events culminated with happening at restaurant “Imperial”.