Pathfinder International Awarded $9,400 Grant from The Elton John AIDS Foundation; Funds to Support HIV/AIDS Education among African Religious Cults in Bahia, Brazil.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2004 Pathfinder International today announced it has received a $9,483 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation Elton John AIDS Foundation is a charity fund that was started by Elton John to help fight HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. He was inspired by the death of Ryan White & Freddie Mercury who both suffered from AIDS and were close friends of his. to support an HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome education program aimed at the religious leaders of candomble temples in Salvador, Brazil. The project will be implemented in the impoverished cities of Salvador and Feira de Santana Feira de Santana (fā`rə dĭ səntä`nə), city (1991 pop. 340,621), Bahia state, E Brazil, between the Jacuípe and Pojuca rivers. in the state of Bahia and will target priests and the followers of 15 candomble temples. Candomble temples are based on the African religious keto tradition. In recent decades, a strong revival of the African culture has taken place in Brazil. It is estimated that in Salvador alone, there are 2000 candomble temples. Some rituals practiced during religious ceremonies at these temples may put followers at risk, including a collective use of the ritual razor blade ra·zor·blade also ra·zor blade n. A thin sharp-edged piece of steel that can be fitted into a razor. razor blade n → hoja de afeitar razor blade used to shave the heads of believers. The temples also practice a relaxed approach towards sex, putting individuals at risk of contracting HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. . Leaders of these temples hold a great deal of influence among their followers. For that reason, Pathfinder is currently conducting a project to promote understanding of HIV/AIDS among African religious leaders. In turn, they will provide this information to their communities. Funded by US Aid for International Development (USAID USAID United States Agency for International Development USAID Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (Spanish) ), the project consists of an assessment of AIDS competence among religious leaders, and holding workshops on issues such as the use of ritual instruments, condom use, sexual and reproductive health Within the framework of WHO's definition of health[1] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene and rights, gender-based violence and counseling. "Education plays a critical role in the HIV/AIDS crisis. If we can reach community leaders and provide them with an understanding of the causes and effects of HIV, they have a chance to change high-risk behavior high-risk behavior Public health A lifestyle activity that places a person at ↑ risk of suffering a particular condition. See Safe sex practices. in the community," said Dan Pellegrom, president of Pathfinder International. "The grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation is invaluable. It enables us to educate the temple leaders and provide the educational materials they need for creating behavior change in both Salvador and Feira de Santana." The grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation will extend the reach of the program, allowing the addition of two agents to work in the temples, the purchase of disposable razor blades and the printing of materials for use at the temples, with messages on condom use and telephone numbers for information on HIV/AIDS. The project will also support the production of a video on the candomble rituals involving blood and their implications for HIV transmission and prevention. About Pathfinder International Pathfinder International provides women, men, and adolescents throughout the developing world with access to quality family planning family planning Use of measures designed to regulate the number and spacing of children within a family, largely to curb population growth and ensure each family’s access to limited resources. and reproductive health information and services. Pathfinder works to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, to provide care to women suffering from the complications of unsafe abortion, and to advocate for sound reproductive health policies in the U.S. and abroad. On the Net: www.pathfind.org About The Elton John AIDS Foundation The Elton John AIDS foundation was established in 1992 by Sir Elton John, who serves as its Chairman. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has offices in Los Angeles and London. The Foundation is an international nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. funding educational programs targeted at HIV/AIDS prevention and/or the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS affected individuals, and for programs that provide services to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS worldwide. On the Net: www.ejaf.org |
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