Project+by+Megan+Trout

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In the spring of 2011, the “HIV/AIDS Awareness for a Healthier Future” Project was implemented in Velyka Lepetykha, a community of 7,000 located on the Dnipro River in the Khersonska Oblast. The project aimed to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS throughout the community through the means of trainings, lessons, posters, informational flyers and a final concert. The project succeeded in training 78 individuals over two weekends, bringing together students and workers from the Velyka Lepetykha Secondary Schools #1 and #2, the Children’s Activities Center, the Social Services Center and the Velyka Lepetykha District Hospital as well as surrounding Rayon hospitals. These individuals then went on to teach over 564 students throughout the community on the biology of HIV/AIDS, the means of transmission and prevention methods appropriate to the particular age category.

Following these lessons, a concert was held on March 3rd, bringing together 8 schools from the rayon to participate in an HIV/AIDS and Health awareness competition. Each school was given 10 minutes to present a performance, including dance, song and text, to promote healthy lifestyles and HIV/AIDS awareness education. The performances were impressively rehearsed, costumed and energized. The Rubanivka Secondary School #1 took first place!

The final piece to the project consisted of the painting of two World Map Murals complete with HIV/AIDS red awareness ribbons. Students from the 6th-9th grades helped to trace the outline of the projected world maps and then to paint in each country by a color code. Painting of these two maps in School #1 and #2 were completed over two weekends and were supported by the added hands of fellow Khersonska Oblast PCVs! In attendance for School #1’s map were Barbara Taychert (39), Michael Knepler (39) and Kaity Hauter (40) along with Velyka Lepetykha PCVs Shannon Wentworth (40) and myself, Megan Trout (37). In attendance for School #2’s map were Alia Scheirman (37), Stephanie Sommerman (38), Lucas Olson (37), Anne Falla (38) and Kaity Hauter along with Shannon and myself. Lessons regarding the effects of HIV/AIDS around the world will take place in the fall semester through the use of these world maps.

In proof of the success of this project, the project’s components received a lot of coverage in the local newspaper. Articles, accompanied by photos, showed the community the work which my school and fellow counterparts had completed. Articles included the adult and youth trainings as well as the second training located at the district hospital, the performances and success of the students in the March 3rd concert and lastly, the World Maps following their completion.

Though many challenges did arise throughout the implementation of this project; winter weather conditions making traveling difficult, attempting to arrange a concert 5 days before Women’s Day, swaying enthusiasm from school heads over the World Maps, I feel that this project succeeded in accomplishing its goals! Though my efforts, and VAST grant money, were a part of the push for project success, I cannot take the credit alone. I feel that one of the greatest reasons this project succeeded was due to the involvement of the local organizations and individuals in each component’s completion. Each component had a different counterpart and/or leading organization in charge of its implementation and success. This allowed me to use my project to empower as many individuals and organizations as possible to realize their own ability to enact change within our community.

Having completed my project, I have a few recommendations for future ones. The first is to expect change and to have back up plans. Never assume that everything in your project’s outline will go according to plan – it never does! Be very communicative with all individuals involved in the project to ensure that each individual is on the same page. And be patient and supportive of those individuals with whom you are working. Implementing a large-scale project most likely is new for the individuals with whom you are working and providing supportive feedback and praise will go a long way in ensuring a project’s success! And finally - Good Luck!

Questions and inquiries about this project should be emailed to Megan Trout at megantrout2009@u.northwestern.edu