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WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2004 — Using technology to foster understanding and awareness among the world's youth, staff members of PSI/Rwanda and their Centre Dushishoze youth program participated in a webcast in April which connected them to students from twenty U.S. schools in a dialogue about HIV/AIDS. The Global Nomads Group, a nonprofit organization that uses technology to bring young people face to face and heighten their understanding of the world and its cultures, arranged the webcast as a part of a larger program that included seven other Rwandan-centered videoconferences on subjects such as the 1994 genocide, Ba'Twa rainforest tribes and gorilla research centers. The webcast was organized by PSI's YouthAIDS Project. The videoconference, entitled "HIV/AIDS Does Not Discriminate," included PSI/Rwanda staff members, National University of Rwanda students and secondary school students who spoke to American students about HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, support for people living with HIV/AIDS, barriers to talking about sexuality, condoms and barriers to condoms. Youth shared their experiences from opposite sides of the ocean discussing how reproductive health services are promoted among youth and why young Rwandans enjoyed Centre Dushishoze's activities and services so much. An HIV positive Rwandan youth gave testimony on how he contracted the virus and now lives with it. The Centre Dushishoze was built, launched and managed for three years through funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is now financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Centre Dushishoze provides affordable, high-quality, youth-friendly reproductive health information, products and services such as voluntary counseling and testing services, sexually-transmitted infection treatment, emergency contraception, pregnancy tests and reproductive health counseling. The Centre also offers a range of skill-building opportunities in an entertaining and educational setting. Every young person who visits the Centre — even those who come initially to play games or watch movies — participates in motivational health education and risk assessment exercises led by the peer educators. Basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, movies, a library and special events such as juggling lessons and dance competitions help attract youth. Longer skill-building courses in hair styling, embroidery, auto mechanics and English are also available. As part of the "Take Action" program on the Global Nomads website, PSI's YouthAIDS project is providing a platform to guide American students in fundraising and HIV/AIDS awareness-raising, with funds raised going to benefit PSI's YouthAIDS programs. — Karrie Carnes, PSI/Washington
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