Shanker Foundation Darjeeling 18 October 2007

Shanker Foundation Darjeeling has started awareness and advocation rights of People Living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA) in schools and colleges and different communities (samsjs) of Darjeeling. As part of the initial batch of schools, Shanker Foundation covered St.Teresa's and Loreto Convent. Shanker Foundation held an awareness programme in St Teresa's Girls High School for students of classes IX, X, XI and XII. This programme was to give vital info on HIV and AIDS and introduce the youth to Shanker Foundation as a district network of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Namrata Edwards, volunteer, gave an introduction on the foundation.The programme consisted of basic education on HIV and AIDS. The medical and clinical information was provided by Dr. Sabina Rongong, who has been helping the Foundation since its inception. This was followed by a session on drug addiction in relation to HIV and AIDS by Rajan Dewan from KRIPA Project. A session on HIV,AIDS,Law and Human Rights was conducted by Tashi.C.Sherpa, covering the role of law and human rights, vis-a vis, HIV and AIDS. The most important aspect of the programme was the experience sharing by Shankar Mani, Lawrence and Hari, members of Shanker Foundation. Sharing experiences is an important part of the programme as it helps in giving HIV/AIDS, a human face. The programme ended with a an open house and questions. Shanker Foundation had an awareness programme in Loreto Convent School. The programme was well recieved and attended by all the students.

There are plans to cover at least ten schools in the Darjeeling Hills before the end of this year. Shanker Foundation has been conducting awareness programmes in various Samaj Ghar also and we hope that these pragrammes will go a long way in providing community support, prevention and reduction in the stigma and discrimination against HIV & AIDS.