ADRA International has sponsored similar campaigns worldwide for 12 years, primarily in Africa and Asia. Knowledge is the greatest weapon in this battle for life. In addition to dramatic presentations, ADRA Malawi has distributed more than 800,000 school notebooks imprinted with AIDS prevention messages. Hundreds of schoolchildrens letters request more information about AIDS and how to get involved in ADRAs AIDS education program. Bakili Muluzi, the president of Malawi, invited one club to perform its AIDS dramas and music for a recent function.
Radio is an integral part of the awareness strategy.
ADRA produces a weekly radio program that features real life problems and villagers suggestions for solutions. This program has become the mouthpiece of the thousands of people who live in remote villages where a single radio serves as the only link to distant, unseen communities. One unexpected outcome of such awareness programs is that survivors, particularly orphans, are now understanding why their loved ones died, reflects Ron Mataya, M.D., associate director of health at ADRA International. Increasingly, were caring for orphans of AIDS victims. The potential number of children orphaned is staggering.