Currently, there is a program that occurs in rural Malawi that explains the dangers of AIDS and tests individuals for AIDS/HIV. They perform an adaption of Charles Dickens' play, A Christmas Carol, translated into the local dialect, Chichewa. The play focuses on the three aspects of AIDS: testing, prevention, and medication. The players (20) are orphans who lost their parents to AIDS. This program has tested more than 1000 people and educated over 15,000 about AIDS. The program has many cast members who have high school grades but don't have the money to go to university or, in some cases, money for high school. The actors currently receive food, clothing, and transport. This grant will provide funds for their education, either at the high school or university levels. These scholarships will be paid from an Education Fund managed by a board of directors (an entity called Together Act Now!) It costs $170 for a year's education at high school and $470 at university.
There will be a substantial involvement of both the the Biantry RC in Malawi and AER. The Malawi RC will provide guidance to this program and will request the assistance of Malawi's President in this effort. AER will solicit funds for the acquisition of condoms to be sent to Malawi, put on a dessert fund raiser/AIDS awareness program, attend and provide a speaker on the global AIDS problem to the West High Interact club, and will make presentations to the AER Board/Club. The Interact club will put on a fundraiser for this effort, which will involve AER Rotarians in this effort.
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