ZOE seeks to improve the lives of orphans in HIV/AIDS-ravaged communities by teaching them about the causes of the disease and how to care for those infected. In program countries that struggle with the disease, children in ZOE’s program attend several training meetings aimed at health and disease prevention, and are encouraged to form anti-AIDS clubs. These clubs create and perform dances, poetry, talks and skits to help educate their communities about HIV/AIDS. Often these children come from rural areas where there is widespread misunderstanding about the disease and its causes. As these clubs are invited to perform at local meetings, civic events, feasts and other occasions, they help educate their community as well as raise awareness for orphans, vulnerable children and those struggling with the disease.
In Rwanda, Jean Baptiste, a member of both a Zoe Empowers working group of orphans and their anti-AIDS club wrote and performed a poem entitled “Beware of HIV/AIDS.”
Translated excerpts include:
Youth, strength of tomorrow abstain before being caught in the fire lit by HIV/AIDS…
Have an HIV/AIDS test at first, and here you will receive a great deal of advice that will help you to develop.
If you are HIV positive you will receive antiretroviral drugs and continue working for the development of the country…
If you live with an infected person never leave him/her alone but take care of him/her and bring hope into his/her heart so he/she feels like you are family…