When Zhang was confirmed HIV-positive shortly after starting college, his family insisted on using separate chopsticks at meals, and every time he sneezed, all eyes at home would fix on him. Feeling fearful and lost, he turned to the internet for information, which only deepened his anxiety due to the prevalent misconceptions about HIV.
Fearing his classmates would discover his HIV status, Xiao Zhang withdrew from university life, cutting off contact with close friends, said the Amity Foundation. The prolonged struggle led to depression. Seeking help, he found relief through activities supported by the Amity Foundation and executed by a community service center in Wuchang District, Wuhan. Engaging in activities for HIV-infected individuals provided him with a space to release stress. Through these activities, Zhang not only healed himself but also discovered the ability to help others. He joined an HIV prevention project for youth supported by the foundation and has been continuously learning about HIV prevention as a volunteer.
Zhang bravely started sharing his story with others after receiving encouragement from social workers in the hopes of motivating and educating similar young people.
By the end of 2022, China reported 1.223 million surviving HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients, with 107,800 new cases in 2022, including 10,700 new cases among 15- to 24-year-olds. The disease is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse.
The project aims to unite universities, disease control centers, medical institutions, and social organizations to provide professional training for HIV prevention volunteers and personnel in the AIDS prevention and control network. They distribute health kits and develop educational tools for HIV prevention, conducting awareness programs in schools to enhance professional interventions in AIDS prevention among adolescents in hospitals and educational institutions.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
据爱德基金会，确证艾滋病病毒（HIV）抗体阳性时，小张刚上大学不久。家里人要求吃饭时严格使用公筷；他偶尔打个喷嚏，家里就会有好几双眼睛齐刷刷看向自己……
于是他开始上网查询相关资料，随之而来的是恐惧、迷茫——主要原因不是疾病本身，而是那些对艾滋病感染者的误解。
因为害怕被同学知道自己感染HIV的事实，小张逐渐脱离了大学生活，与曾经亲密的朋友断了联系。漫长的挣扎，甚至让小张患上了抑郁症。他决定向外界寻求帮助。
由爱德基金会支持、武汉市武昌区为先社会工作服务中心执行开展的HIV感染者团体活动，让小张近年来的压力有了释放的空间。小张发现，除了疗愈自己，慢慢地，他竟也有能力帮助他人——他参加了爱德基金会支持的青年防艾计划，在青年防艾志愿者培训中持续地学习青少年防艾知识。
现在，在社工的鼓励下，小张开始勇敢地向他人分享自己的故事，他希望可以给其他青年朋友提供启发和经验。
据相关数据报道，截至2022年年底，我国报告存活艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病患者122.3万名；2022年新报告病例数为10.78万，其中15-24岁青少年感染者新报告病例数为1.07万；传播途径以性传播为主。
火柴动员青年防艾计划希望将高校、疾控、医疗机构、社会组织凝聚起来，对防艾志愿者、艾滋病防治网络人员进行专业培训。为防艾重点人群发放健康包、开发推广防艾教育教具。在校园中开展知艾课堂，提升医院、学校对青少年艾滋病防治干预的专业性。
爱德基金会开展青年防艾项目
When Zhang was confirmed HIV-positive shortly after starting college, his family insisted on using separate chopsticks at meals, and every time he sneezed, all eyes at home would fix on him. Feeling fearful and lost, he turned to the internet for information, which only deepened his anxiety due to the prevalent misconceptions about HIV.
Fearing his classmates would discover his HIV status, Xiao Zhang withdrew from university life, cutting off contact with close friends, said the Amity Foundation. The prolonged struggle led to depression. Seeking help, he found relief through activities supported by the Amity Foundation and executed by a community service center in Wuchang District, Wuhan. Engaging in activities for HIV-infected individuals provided him with a space to release stress. Through these activities, Zhang not only healed himself but also discovered the ability to help others. He joined an HIV prevention project for youth supported by the foundation and has been continuously learning about HIV prevention as a volunteer.
Zhang bravely started sharing his story with others after receiving encouragement from social workers in the hopes of motivating and educating similar young people.
By the end of 2022, China reported 1.223 million surviving HIV-infected individuals and AIDS patients, with 107,800 new cases in 2022, including 10,700 new cases among 15- to 24-year-olds. The disease is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse.
The project aims to unite universities, disease control centers, medical institutions, and social organizations to provide professional training for HIV prevention volunteers and personnel in the AIDS prevention and control network. They distribute health kits and develop educational tools for HIV prevention, conducting awareness programs in schools to enhance professional interventions in AIDS prevention among adolescents in hospitals and educational institutions.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Amity Foundation Launches HIV Prevention Project for Youth
