Rotary Club Learns about HIV and AIDS

Posted on Sep 01, 2016

Photo shows Rotarian Daren Collins (the tallest one) receiving $500 grant from the Rotary Club of Waxahachie from some Rotarians

By John Hamilton

Although there are no cures or vaccinations for the diseases known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) the methods of transmission are well understood. HIV is spread by contaminated blood and hypodermic needles, by a mother during pregnancy or breast feeding or by unprotected sex. Saliva, sweat and tears do not carry the virus.

Since the methods of spreading the disease are so well known why is it still an epidemic? It is because HIV is a social problem, not a medical problem. In the areas where the problem is so large, talking about the subjects of unprotected sex and the mother’s place in transmission are complete taboo. Tribal chiefs and religious leaders see their people falling daily but cannot bring themselves to talk about it.

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Rotary Club Learns about HIV and AIDS

By John Hamilton

People participate in these practices because they believe they are harmless. Something else causes it. Those who have the disease are shunned because of the belief that casual contact spreads it; not a true statement. However they are strongly believed in most of Africa where as many as half of the population has the disease.

Recognizing that this is an education problem, Rotarian Darren Collins of Desoto has organized Project HAND UP. The goal of this organization is a healthy Africa. Mr. Collins is a professional performer who uses these skills to educate people about the true nature of the diseases and what they can do to reduce them.

He uses puppets and magic tricks. Does that sound like an over-simplification? Consider whom he is teaching. The puppets are excellent ice breakers. Once that happens they can begin to educate people. He has chosen to take his message through puppets to children and churches. The puppets can get away with telling the story and those who hear it can take the truth home with some books that they are given.

Project Hand Up was organized in 2013 with a $137,000 matching grant from the Rotary Foundation and some subsequent funding. Since then they have reached 22,000 kids plus the others who have heard them.

Mr Collins would like to have twenty volunteers; twenty puppeteers who he says can reach 500,000 people per year with messages about AIDS, clean water and sanitation. Without true facts disease will continue to run through these countries. The Rotary club donated $500 to help continue this work.

For more information contact him at darren@projecthandup.org or 469-337-5217. The web page is www.projecthandup.org/donate and facebook.com/HandUpProject.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Waxahachie where we believe in Service above self and doing things as a club we cannot do alone, visit the club web site at www.waxahachierotary.org . You can find American flag subscription forms on the web site.