CARVEE, a new inter-union network to support Senegalese teachers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, emerged from the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Dakar from December 3- 7.
CARVEE is committed to work in partnership with international organisations to represent and include teachers living with HIV, as well as to direct policy responses to HIV and AIDS in the education sector.
During ICASA, Insia Diallo , as representative of the collective of Senegalese unions, COSSEL, presented the work of teacher unions in Senegal and Africa under the EI EFAIDS Programme. During the conference COSSEL worked with the focal points for HIV/AIDS of Ministries of Education from throughout sub-Saharan Africa and with other education stakeholders to share experiences and plan for coordinated work on HIV and AIDS.
Insia Diallo, spoke on behalf of all Senegalese unions involved in the EI EFAIDS Programme at the launch of ‘Courage and Hope’, a film profiling the experiences of four African teachers living with HIV and AIDS. The film and a companion book were presented during the opening day of ICASA.
‘Courage and Hope’, produced by the Partnership for Child Development, describes not only the adversity that the teachers faced because of their status but also how they have overcome such difficulties to live positively with HIV and AIDS. Responding to HIV and AIDS in their own lives has spurred the teachers on to greater action as they reach out into their schools and communities to help others living with HIV and to stamp out AIDS related discrimination.
The leadership of unions in the HIV and AIDS response is highlighted in ‘Courage & Hope’. An excerpt from the book reads, “Teacher Unions are repeatedly cited as key providers of practical care and support. They have used their national decentralized structures to share practical information with teachers, especially as part of the global EFAIDS initiative.”
To discover more about the ‘Courage and Hope’ resources visit www.schoolsandhealth.org. To order copies of the film and book contact pcd@imperial.ac.uk.
For further information about the EI EFAIDS Programme in Senegal please contact efaids@ei-ie.org.