Live TV coverage for Vietnam Lesson for Life

Thanks to the collaboration between major International NGOs in Vietnam; Oxfam Great Britan, Plan in Vietnam, World Vision and Save the Children UK, thousands of children throughout Vietnam took part in the Lesson for Life on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2004. A range of activities were organized at schools and public places in 21 provinces throughout the country.

In preparation for the lesson for life activities a number of training workshops were been held for community partners, teachers and children's core groups to ensure that they are able to facilitate the lessons effectively and forums effectively.

Each of the events that took place in Plan supported areas were a great success with outstanding participation from the children and community members. At program units such as Phu Tho and Thai Nguyen the events were organised in the local cinema with children forming groups and competing in a quiz show on HIV/AIDS. In Hanoi children carried out roles plays and participated in games to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention.

In order to raise awareness at the national level the INGO's worked together with VTV3 (one of the largest national TV stations) to produce a 1 hour TV program called "Lesson for Life". The program covered a studio event held in front of a live audience consisting mostly of children. The show provided a great opportunity for both children and adults voices to be heard. Guest speakers included Ms Hue, a mother infected with HIV/AIDS who was recently awarded the 'Asian Hero' title for her efforts to reduce the stigma towards people especially children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Other guest included a group of teenagers from Hai Phong who shared information with the audience and viewers about their work to raise awareness with the communities most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. In addition two teenage girls gave an emotional overview as to how living with parents infected with HIV/AIDS has a great impact on their lives. Whilst mothers infected with HIV/AIDS spoke of how their communities have isolated them and their children due to the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. VTV also included short documentaries about children who have been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS.

The children from the Green Bees Club (a young media club program supported by Plan) participated by interviewing the Directors of the four INGO’s involved as well the Vice Minister for Health about the affects of HIV/AIDS on children and, what they plan to do to help the situation in the future. The event then concluded with performances by children and famous Vietnamese pops stars. Overall it was a great success in educating people about HIV/AIDS and reaching out to children and their communities all over Vietnam.

The campaign also gained outstanding media coverage nationwide including over 10 newspaper articles and 4 television reports on both local and national stations.