Director's Notes on Axum project

The first LIFESIGNS project in Axum was a big success due in large part of the selected youth. These 6 teens mostly age 14 were all bright and eager and had some knowledge of HIV/AIDS from an AIDS club in their middle school. Upon the second meeting, one of the youths had written a song and a drama for the group to perform. After the mural was finished, the group performed before an audience of 100 community members. During this time each member spoke about HIV prevention, social stigmas regarding the virus, local AIDS support groups and demystifying false preventative methods. The local journalist interviewed LIFESIGNS. The Axum AIDS Coordinator showed much support for our grassroots approach. A couple of the teens were introduced to a national AIDS organization, DKT sponsored by the Americans and the Netherlands and helped distribute condoms and contraception to the community merchants.

I discovered that these youth were very open to various methods to prevent HIV regardless of their religious backround which opposed any contraception. As an HIV counselor I also had to consider the generation gap between these youth and their parents. Many of their parents opposed contraception and preferred abstinence from sex as the main method to avoiding AIDS. However these youth learned that even marraige wouldn't save them from contracting HIV since 5% of local village families are HIV positive from extramarital affairs.

Because we were teaching them at a younger age and before they were sexually active, I felt this was the most effective way to changing behavior for the future of youth.

In regards to the mural, I was cautious of the design as Axum is a historical town with roots in a strict Christian background. We chose to mimic the Chrisitan fresco designs. In the center was a teacher who normally would be a priest or wiseman. In one hand was the symbol of death and the other hand was a condom. In the end we had to compromise with the local AIDS coordinator who opposed the condom because of the conservatism in Axum. Instead, we opted for a book with the AIDS ribbon symbol and relocated the condom to a pair of hands which held the book of the painting.The mural was installed in the perfect location: the market place where all villagers attend. Hundreds of villagers can read the mural because although they are illiterate the message is clear pictorally.

Angie Eng, July 2002