UNICEF launches online Swahili game to boost HIV prevention in East Africa

[Guest guest]

UNICEF launches online Swahili game to boost HIV prevention in East

Africa

31 October 2006 – Seeking to reach East African adolescents and young

people in the battle against AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF) has launched its first interactive feature in Swahili, an

online game that empowers the young to make good life choices and

prevent HIV.

The game, called `Ungefanyaje' or `What would you do?' in Swahili,

takes the player through a series of relationship-based scenarios

that emphasize the importance of HIV prevention and testing.

" Although prevention is essential to half the spread of HIV/AIDS, an

alarming 80 per cent of all young people still don't know how to

protect themselves from the virus, " UNICEF said in a news release,

noting that sub-Saharan Africa has been especially hard-hit by the

epidemic.

" By speaking openly about the threat that HIV and AIDS poses to young

people, we can help give them the knowledge they need to keep them

safe from infection, " said Amber Oliver, Coordinator of Voices of

Youth, an Internet site created by UNICEF for the young who want to

know more, do more and say more about the world.

" It is estimated that of the 2.3 million children under 15 living

with HIV, 2 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Reaching young people

with prevention education and services is a crucial step towards an

AIDS-free generation. "

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20438

[Guest guest]

UNICEF launches online Swahili game to boost HIV prevention in East

Africa

31 October 2006 – Seeking to reach East African adolescents and young

people in the battle against AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF) has launched its first interactive feature in Swahili, an

online game that empowers the young to make good life choices and

prevent HIV.

The game, called `Ungefanyaje' or `What would you do?' in Swahili,

takes the player through a series of relationship-based scenarios

that emphasize the importance of HIV prevention and testing.

" Although prevention is essential to half the spread of HIV/AIDS, an

alarming 80 per cent of all young people still don't know how to

protect themselves from the virus, " UNICEF said in a news release,

noting that sub-Saharan Africa has been especially hard-hit by the

epidemic.

" By speaking openly about the threat that HIV and AIDS poses to young

people, we can help give them the knowledge they need to keep them

safe from infection, " said Amber Oliver, Coordinator of Voices of

Youth, an Internet site created by UNICEF for the young who want to

know more, do more and say more about the world.

" It is estimated that of the 2.3 million children under 15 living

with HIV, 2 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Reaching young people

with prevention education and services is a crucial step towards an

AIDS-free generation. "

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20438