Russia faces a huge AIDS crisis: over 1 million people are already infected and the rate of increase is the fastest in the world.An estimated 7 million people abuse drugs and 20 million more are dependent on alcohol.Widespread ignorance, apathy and lack of resources have accelerated the spread of HIV.Now that 1 in 70 of all 15-25 year olds in at least one city are infected, President Putin has made AIDS a government priority.

STEPPING UP THE FIGHT AGAINST THE AIDS EXPLOSION

ACET Russia has more than 300 educators, mostly volunteers, working in 90 towns and cities across 11 time zones, visiting schools, colleges, youth projects, orphanages, hostels, prisons, drug rehabilitation centres and the army.They reach more than 100,000 people each year with a life-saving message. Some teams also provide counselling, advocacy services and telephone help-lines. Two books about AIDS and sexual health have been published by ACET in Russian and over 10,000 copies have been distributed.A Russian language website has been launched and a range of new resource materials and training packs developed including a DVD. In September 2006 150 educators attended a three day national training programme in Togliatti together with representatives from Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus,Tajikistan, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan and other nations. ACET Russia is recruiting hundreds more volunteers in intense efforts to contain further explosive spread of HIV. ACET Russia provides training and many other resources to the region and is responsible for assisting many new national programmes, in places like Georgia and Belarus. A Cry from the Heart

ACET prevention programmes impact Russian teenagers and their teachers ACET is stepping up the fight against the AIDS explosion in Russia with more than 300 educators working in 90 towns and cities across 11 time zones. Over 1 million people are already infected and the rate of increase in HIV infections is one of the fastest in the world. ACET trainers are reaching over 100,000 people every year and here are some of the comments from students and teachers. Teenagers at schools like our lessons very much and some of them say that they were seriously challenged. Some say they will change their way of thinking about their sexual behaviour and will become more responsible. Some even say they have decided to be celibate until marriage as a result of our lessons. “We felt free during lessons. Not many of us can openly talk about those issues with our parents who don’t understand us. Your lesson will influence me in all of my life.” (teenager in Chelyabinsk)

“I liked lessons very much. I’m happy that those lessons encouraged and supported me in my opinions about life.” (teenager in Togliatti) “My opinions about choosing my life partner have changed.” (teenager in Togliatti)

“I knew a lot of new information about myself and I began to think seriously about my future. I recognized that we are responsible for not being infected by HIV. I would like to hear more talks about such topics.” (teenager in Chelyabinsk)

The impact on teachers in Russia “ACET educators work very well with teenagers. Pupils paid attention to young educators with big interest. They were asking questions, wrote very positive reports. ACET educators do very important work.” School 40 Togliatti. “Thank you very much for AIDS prevention lessons. They have been taught in quality way. Contents of lessons were easily understood and substantial. Educators used different ways of work: showing slides, illustrations, trainings. This work should be supported and be continued at school.” School 30, Togliatti. “Both teachers and pupils liked ACET prevention lessons very much. Children were listening with high interest and they were very emotionally touched by what they heard. Teacher recognized the prevention work as very important and positive.” School 59, Togliatti. Marek Slansky, Director, ACET Russia February 2006

A moving letter written by Olga from the Krasnodar region of Russia “I am 18 years old. My name is Olga. I was taken ill of AIDS two years ago. I am in hospital. Why have you, you adults, thrown us under a tank? Why have you disrupted us with sex, pornography and drugs? We were very children and our fathers offered us to others to bed. And our mothers received money for us, their children. It is you who are guilty in our illnesses and death! You adults wanted ‘freedom’, ‘relaxation’ and ‘enjoyment’.You approved pornography, wanted more money.You advocate ‘free relations’, doing everything to satisfy your desires. But we are dying! We will never get to know real love, we will not have families, we will not have our own children.”

Resources

Life Goes On Resource manual (in Russian).

ACET Russia website (English version)