TRAINING COMMUNITY AIDS EDUCATORS

OVERVIEW

Who can be Community AIDS Educators?

• People identified by the TOT in conjunction with their health committee within the community
• People willing to volunteer their time for HIV/AIDS public awareness campaigns.

This work is unpaid like any other position in the Church.

• People ready to give quarterly report to the TOT
• People of different ages and marital status  - such that, youth, young adults, those over 40 years, single parents, married, unmarried. ( This is because during  HIV/AIDS public awareness, segmentation is encouraged)
• People with a platform.

The CAE and the Community

• The CAE needs to sensitize to the fact that the community has different types of people, with different kinds of problems related to HIV/AIDS.
• The TOT should train CAE's in such away that the CAE's are able to enlighten or educate the community about HIV/AIDS related problems.

Main Task of the CAE

• To create public awareness of HIV/AIDS and promote prevention.

Learning Objectives for the CAE

• To be adequately informed about HIV/AIDS
• To be in the forefront of advocating for positive attitudes and policies on HIV/AIDS and PLHA's.
• To respond effectively to myths, fears, disbelief, denial, wrong attitudes, misinformation and conflicting information surrounding HIV/AIDS.
• To give basic counseling to the infected and affected.

Activities of CAEs

• Network with community leaders in the consultation with the TOT when appropriate eg -       Elders, deacons, congregational and church group leaders.

• Opinion leaders, chiefs, Community Based Organizations etc.
• Network (in consultation with the TOT) with the relevant associations and organizations etc.
• Attend and participate in meetings organized by the TOT
• Create HIV/AIDS public awareness in congregations, Church group, schools and in the community.
• Submit report on progress made in creating HIV/AIDS awareness and also problem experienced.
• Visit the infected and affected with the aim of counseling them to cope with the problems arising from HIV/AIDS.