THE STAY ALIVE:HIV/AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM

Written by Wendy W. Sheffield, Administered and Implemented by Reach The Children, Inc. 
(This program was originally founded by United Families International)

The primary aims of the program are to:


- Teach children and youth the skills and abilities (including consequential thinking skills, responsible decision-making skills, and the skills needed to withstand negative influences) that will empower and enable them to remain HIV/AIDS disease-free.


- Build and strengthen families (especially family communication regarding values, healthy relationships and appropriate sexual behavior).


- Help children and their families recognize and appreciate the critical role that abstinence and fidelity play in HIV/AIDS prevention.


-Engender hope, individual worth and empowerment within African children


An independent program outcome evaluation was conducted over a 2½-year time period (2003-2006), examining 957 children, ages 9-14, in 51 different schools representing a diverse range of social economic status, gender, religions and geographic settings (i.e. rural versus urban) in Kenya who had all been taught the first module (8 lessons) of the Stay Alive program. 


Research demonstrates that the Stay Alive program significantly curtails the spread of HIV/AIDS in the schools and communities in which it is taught. In one school the incidence of HIV/AIDS decreased 100%. Throughout the Kenya schools, the incidence of HIV/AIDS decreased 86% in the areas the Stay Alive program was implemented.