‘OUR STARS WITH A RED RIBBON CAUSE’ 

Children from Corporation School, MH Road, Chennai were shocked when their teacher, Ms.Uma et al, presented a hard fact that Chennai their city is leading the table of “Most AIDS affected district ” in TamilNadu. The prima facie evidence that 10 per cent of the HIV/AIDS reported cases of Tamil Nadu were registered in hospices of Chennai propelled the students to investigate the problem. They browsed the net for latest information and doubly ensured the facts. The world scenario of AIDS mapped in the net provided insight on the acceleration of the dreaded disease. The hornet’s nest was stirred. The children, based on the support of digital data desired to become successful analyzers of the problem.

Under the sterling leadership of the class teacher Ms.Uma et al, students of tenth grade, formed into small groups for a brain storming session. They showcased the collected data through a presentation. Each one had something to add on to it. One group presented the mode that AIDS takes to spread its tentacles while the other talked about the virus and yet another how to decelerate it. At the end, all the students got the full picture of AIDS. The genuine deliberation led to a new learning and a challenge Most of them braved the effort to visit the HIV/AIDS patients and interview them to feel the pulse of the menace of the killer disease first hand.

With required precautions, students visited General Hospital Chennai –3 and Stanley Hospital Chennai –79, the biggest Government Hospitals in Chennai, and interviewed 50 HIV/AIDS patients under the surveillance of the duty doctor. Students patiently administered the questionnaire and elicited the answers. All the answers and testimonies of the patients were recorded in the digital camera with the due permission from the patients. They sought permission to display it to the public to create awareness.

The analysis of the data gripped their hearts. It clearly vindicated that most of the affected patients (more than 90 per cent) were from lower-socio-economic strata. The students decided to do something. The teacher was moved with the enthusiasm of the students and knew that it would lead to larger learning goals.
The students made a power point presentation of their findings and inserted the video clippings of the testimonies. They worked out a plan to create awareness to all. The target group of the audience was finalized as school children, parents and general public. They enacted awareness skit to help the illiterate parents to understand the seriousness of the disease. 

Appreciation from the parents boosted the morale of the students. This ensued in children staging a series of skits in the near by slums. They designed hoardings and slogans. They sent out a loud and clear message. Local leaders, Lions club members and educationist applauded the effort.

One of the students shared that the investigation on this sensitive issue, though started with little apprehension, gave them a new perspective on life, the social stigma, that causes sufferings and alienation of the AIDS/HIV affected patients, is deadlier than the disease itself.

The class teacher feels that creating an AIDS free world (WORLD minus AIDS) is a collective effort and it is high time that students get involved, feel the responsibility and understand the nuance of life.

The little stars made a profound impact on the general public about a sensitive issue and the team leader confessed that with out the aid of technology it would have been difficult to reach to the masses.