Global Service Corps establishes health clubs in schools
By Staff Reporter
The Global Service Corps has formed a number of health clubs in Secondary
schools of Arusha, as additional efforts to reinforce HIV-Aids awareness among
local students, after carrying out HIV camps in schools since 2001.
The programme coordinator, Susan Beck told The Arusha Times, that through the
GSC HIV programmes, students are equipped with knowledge to become trainers and
pass the same skills to their counterparts in schools.
More than 15 secondary schools have benefitted from the special health program
being offered on voluntary basis by the Global Service Corps, in the region. The
ceremony to mark the closure of this year's camps, was held at the Kimandolu
Secondary school last week.
Global Corps has teamed up with members and indigenous organizations to offer
talks, barazas (community meetings) and weekly events at schools, churches and
village forums. Volunteers also collaborate with local health care workers and
officials to provide further education and counseling, and to build a
sustainable teaching and learning curriculum that delves into the heart of each
community.
Volunteers then follow up initial talks with return visits that foster rapport,
friendship and trust. An emphasis on education, awareness, friendship and
reverence for life helps spread the word that AIDS is a disease that can be
prevented - and just as importantly those who do have AIDS need all the love,
care and support afforded any human.
The GSC's HIV/AIDS Program also provides the opportunity for volunteers to
discover Tanzania Participants live with families in village based home stays
and experience the challenges and changing face of every day life - from
connecting with that shy student with the bright smile to negotiating a herd of
goats on the way home.
Global Service Corps (GSC) is a nonprofit international volunteer organization
that provides volunteer opportunities for people worldwide to live and work
abroad in developing countries.
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