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Burkina President Joins AIDS Campaign In December 2001, PSI/Burkina Faso launched a campaign called "C'est ma vie (it's my life)" to mobilize Burkinabe people to become personally involved in preventing the spread of HIV. The goal was to gather one million pledges to, as the pledge reads, "take concrete actions to protect myself and those close to me from HIV." PSI staff was startled by the proactive participation of the major government ministries. They all held their own events and helped to collect signatures. In the schools, PSI had virtually unlimited access to students for presentations and sign-ups. In rural areas (and some urban) there was great support from traditional leaders, who have tremendous influence in Burkina Faso. Every Friday, the television news gave an update on the campaign's progress. Four soldiers decided they would show their support for the campaign by walking across Burkina Faso. They started at the time of the launch in the southwest corner and finished with a big ceremony in the northeastern corner. PSI followed them with a truck and did promotions in each village as they went along. These promotions became a highlight of the campaign. When PSI approached the president about signing the pledge, he instantly agreed. In addition, the president organized a lavish signing ceremony, with former presidents of neighboring countries, all the major players in the government and PSI's donors from the German Embassy in attendance. President Compaore even paid to make his own testimonial TV spot explaining the campaign and why he was making the pledge. This spot will be one of 12 spots in the "C'est ma vie" campaign that are now being aired nationwide. PSI will measure the impact of this campaign through condom sales and qualitative research to determine how people are following through with their pledges. —John Harris, PSI Country Representative in Burkina Faso |
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