HIV/AIDS prevention by using sports oriented games in St. Lucia Proposed by Chris Wardell, Lizzy Mazer, April Orleans and Megan Laliberte

HIV/AIDS in St. Lucia  The Caribbean has an estimated 2% prevalence rate among adults  St. Lucia’s HIV prevalence rate is at.55%  Due to gross underreporting it is estimated that this represents only about 26% of the number of cases  The Caribbean has an estimated 2% prevalence rate among adults  St. Lucia’s HIV prevalence rate is at.55%  Due to gross underreporting it is estimated that this represents only about 26% of the number of cases

Current Prevention Programs  Five-year National HIV/AIDS strategic plan funded by the World Bank  National AIDS Coordinating Council (NACC)  AIDS Action Foundation (AAF)  Kicking AIDS Out  Five-year National HIV/AIDS strategic plan funded by the World Bank  National AIDS Coordinating Council (NACC)  AIDS Action Foundation (AAF)  Kicking AIDS Out

Project Concept  HIV/AIDS prevention programs for youth is crucial to building awareness  Education for at-risk-youth is a pressing issue in St. Lucia  HIV/AIDS prevention programs for youth is crucial to building awareness  Education for at-risk-youth is a pressing issue in St. Lucia

Project Description  We provided education on HIV/AIDS prevention, stigmatization, and gender related issues in St. Lucia  We used sports oriented programs modeled after a program called Grassroot Soccer  We evaluated the feasibility of implementing this program in the future  We provided education on HIV/AIDS prevention, stigmatization, and gender related issues in St. Lucia  We used sports oriented programs modeled after a program called Grassroot Soccer  We evaluated the feasibility of implementing this program in the future

Grassroot Soccer  Grassroot Soccer is an international non- profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the global community in the fight against HIV/AIDS  The Grassroot Soccer curriculum was started in 2003 in Zimbabwe by professional soccer players  Using the power of soccer in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Grassroot Soccer provides youth with the skills and support to live HIV free  Grassroot Soccer is an international non- profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the global community in the fight against HIV/AIDS  The Grassroot Soccer curriculum was started in 2003 in Zimbabwe by professional soccer players  Using the power of soccer in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Grassroot Soccer provides youth with the skills and support to live HIV free

We visited the Micoud Primary School and the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School and held an information session for faculty members in each school district. We visited the Micoud Primary School and the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School and held an information session for faculty members in each school district.

Micoud Primary School  We held two sessions with 40 students in each session  By separating the groups by gender, we found the program to be much more effective  Although we were only able to be at the school for one day, we were able to make valuable contacts to continue working with them in the future  We held two sessions with 40 students in each session  By separating the groups by gender, we found the program to be much more effective  Although we were only able to be at the school for one day, we were able to make valuable contacts to continue working with them in the future

“My Supporters” “Risk Field” “Choices” “Find the Ball”

Vieux Fort Comprehensive Primary School Campus A  We held four sessions with a total of 160 students  The same four games were used in both the Micoud Primary School and the Vieux Fort Secondary School  We held four sessions with a total of 160 students  The same four games were used in both the Micoud Primary School and the Vieux Fort Secondary School

Faculty Informational Session

ContributionsContributions  UVM Group: -Educational presentations -Sports oriented games -Present faculty with informational sessions on Grassroot Soccer  St. Lucian Partners: -Arrange schools to carry-out curriculum -Provide contacts for future implementation of Grassroot Soccer  UVM Group: -Educational presentations -Sports oriented games -Present faculty with informational sessions on Grassroot Soccer  St. Lucian Partners: -Arrange schools to carry-out curriculum -Provide contacts for future implementation of Grassroot Soccer

Project Outputs  240 students were exposed to an innovative approach to HIV/AIDS education  Potential candidates and locations were identified  Met with ministry officials to discuss ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention programs  240 students were exposed to an innovative approach to HIV/AIDS education  Potential candidates and locations were identified  Met with ministry officials to discuss ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention programs

Future Plans  Locate a community to start a future training seminar  Form an agreement  Train interested community leaders  Locate a community to start a future training seminar  Form an agreement  Train interested community leaders

Thank You!

Special Thanks  Marcus Edwards  Theophila Charles  Alvina Reynolds  Sophia Edwards- Gabriel  Mr. Gaspard  Miss Dantes  Marcus Edwards  Theophila Charles  Alvina Reynolds  Sophia Edwards- Gabriel  Mr. Gaspard  Miss Dantes  Charles Kerschner  Ryan Mastropaolo  Thomas DeSisto  UVM Community  Charles Kerschner  Ryan Mastropaolo  Thomas DeSisto  UVM Community