AIDS in Moldova

Peace Corps Volunteers Kim Pratt and Diane LaFrenierea arrived in the small, former Soviet nation of Moldova ready to assist in improving the health needs of their host community.

What they found were serious health problems facing an expanding group of young community members who had been excluded from traditional Moldovan society - those who were HIV positive, addicted to drugs, or members of sexual minority groups. Teaming up with their community counterparts, the volunteers created a service group called Tineri si Liberi (Young and Free) to meet the health needs of the under-served youth in their community.

The project grew from the efforts of Moldovan students who had banded together in 1997 to educate their peers about sexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention. They quickly realized the need to expand their efforts and to train more peer educators to reach youth in rural areas. With the help of their new Peace Corps Volunteer counterparts, the group formed a plan to establish an education and training resource center, where they can hold health education sessions, discussion groups, and peer education training. The group pulled together the community’s resources and motivation, but still needed $3,175 to complete the center. So volunteers Pratt and LaFrenierea looked to the Peace Corps Partnership Program for assistance. Through this program, individuals in the US private sector can help carry out their work to improve the health of Moldovan youth. RPCVs in the U.S. stepped up to the plate and have already donated the needed funds through the Partnership Program’s newly created HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Fund.

With this support, Tineri si Liberi is well on its way to meet its goal of improving the health of their peers.

The April 2000 Partnership Program Project Listing includes two new requests for AIDS education or prevention type projects. In Burkina Faso in West Africa a volunteer is seeking a small amount of funding ($250) to help a local theatre group continue its education of villagers in the rural northwest of the country. The Kassan Clinic’s regional health education program has been greatly enhanced by the performances of the Sinisiggi "Prepare Yourself for a Better Tomorrow" theatre group. (Project Number: 686-058)

In Galati, Romania a volunteer is looking for funding (about $5000) to help improve the quality of life for children with AIDS. The Romania HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program will help dispel the myths and fears associated with the disease. The project will provide AIDS education for students, educators, and "at risk" groups. Support is needed for training materials, transportation and supplies. (Project Number: 403-020)

AIDS in Moldova Project Funding from the Peace Corps Partnership Programs New HIV Prevention/Education Fund

AIDS in Moldova
Project Funding from the Peace Corps Partnership Programs New HIV Prevention/Education Fund