MAASS AWARENESS ON AIDS FOR STABILISED SUSTAINABILITY (MAASS)

Rational behind the MAASS Programme: To bring more Awareness on HIV/AIDS among general population to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and also focus on Target Intervention in West Godavari Dsitrict.

PARTICIPANTS: JYOTHI EDUCATION SOCIETY, SAMEEKARANA, UNITED AIDS CONTROL PROJECT, RAVENDRA EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY, BETHASDA LEPROSY HOSPITAL and SEEDS.

As inspired by the AASHA Programme held in the month of July 2005, the NACO / DFID Projects being by supported by APSACS in West Godavari District under the technical guidance of Project Support Unit, though on doing an innovative Massive Campaign on HIV / AIDS. We have brought the proposal to the notice of District Collector D.L.O and other Dignitaries at the time of Introduction with them on the wake of discussion of NACP- 3 phase programmee from 2006 April onwards. In the discussions with the District Collector Mr.Law Agarwal I.A.S requested all the participants to make a new proposal for the NACP-3rd phase program. In this context we also discussed and submitted a brieg outline to collector on NACP 3rd phase program. At this juncture we the project Director and MANAGERS SAT TOGETHER AND CHALKED OUT THE PROGRAM AND THE TITLE OF THE maass (maass Awareness on Aids for Stabilized Sustainability). Under the process we are discussed District Collector D.L.O., Project Director APSACS, and Team Leader Project Support Unit and they encouraged the Team to go on with the program to make it a grand success.

PROGRAM PROCESS:

After the discussions with the above dignitaries with proposal and once again we discussed on the I.E.C material distribution and we discussed the concerned officials and D.L.O.Office how to conduct rallies, stalls and etc., We also discussed The District Collector and Joint Collector on our program with detailed description. We also procured some material for the program and it helped a lot for the program to make it a grand success. We have planned this Massive campaign from the District HEAD quarters Eluru on 15th November and follows in other areas and end by the month of January 2006 in our respective intervention areas of West Godavari District A.P.

ACTIVITIES ON THE MAASS PROGRAM:
-------------------------------------------

• The District Collector along with the other officials and dignitaries are opened Exhibition Stalls on HIV/AIDS.
• The District Collector Mr. Lav Agarwal I.A.S. flagged off the rally, which had been carried out through the main bazaars and streets of Eluru.
• In the rally the District Collector, Zilla Parishad Chairman, Mayaor and first citizen of Eluru and other District level officers participated.
• From 10 A.M. to 4.30P.M. The Cultural Activities like street place, small skits and songs conducted.
• In the rally the Commercial Sex Workers, C.B.O. members, Peer Educators, PLWHA members participated.
• Nearly 30000 Condoms were distributed among the different categories of the general population.
• I.E.C. material distributed considerably.
• The people visited Exhibition Stall very enthusiastically and learned mors about the AIDS and everybody intended to know about the epidemic
• District Collector Mr. Lav Agarwal’s Interacted with Sex Workers, PLWHA members, C.B.O. members, Peer Educators and other community members.
• The District Collector enquired the above-mentioned categories regarding the services being rendered by the N.G.O.s.
• He requested the conveners of MAASS to conduct a meeting with commercial Sex Worker.
• The community people requesting urged for rehabilitation activities.
• Truker Based community pleaded the Collector to arrange the refreshing rooms along the Highway and requested to remove the liquor shops adjacent to Highways.
• The Collector assured to provided possible rehabilitation activities through D.R.D.A, VELUGU and other sources.
• The Migrant Labour requested the District Collector for a colony as they are facing residential problems.

• The District Collector addressed in the rally it is every one’s duty to know AIDS for no AIDS and there should be coordination between the G.Os and N.G.Os to prevent the HIV/AIDS in the country.
• In his address he also pointed the District has occupied second place in Andhra Pradesh in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, so we have to work more effectively for future generation.
• Zillah Parishad Chairman Mr. Jayaraj addressed the youth to make relent fewer efforts till the AIDS pandemic is driven away.
• Social service center Director Father Mozes emphasized on continuous awareness campaigns in prevention of HIV/AIDS.
• At the conclusion The District Collector asked the Convener and the Co-Convener of the MAASS program Sri D.Venkateswara Rao and Mr A.Mutyala Raja to convene a meeting with sex workers to discuss their problems at earlier date.
  
  In the same way we conducted Mass Events program to bring more awareness on HIV/AIDS in different areas of W.G.Dist with support of other partners are Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Kovvuru, Nidadavolu, Narasapuram. In this program we conducted exhabition stalls and rallays to understand the seriousness of HIV/AIDS and provide awarnecess for the General people as well as other communities. It brings more satisfaction for the PSU partners of W.G.Dist and also District Collector to appreciate the project team members.