ENGLISH PROJECT “AIDS is a disease that affect homosexual and drug users. These people deserve little compassion as they are mostly responsible for their condition.” Find out what facilities exist for treating AIDS victims. What are the arguments used by those who support government funding and those who oppose sympathy and publicity of AIDS victims.

GAMEGAME You are going to meet your friends in a coffee shop. Which table would you pick up if you are the first one who arrived ? Round Table Bar Counter Square Table

Round Table Helpful, open-minded. Can get along with AIDS patients. Square Table Have strong traditional belief. Do not accept AIDS patients. Bar Counter Socialable. Accept people coming from different background. Do not mind making friends with AIDS patients, but will not be a close friends of them.

-"Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome" -it is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). What is AIDS? - Most infected people look healthy and have no signs or symptoms. 50% of HIV infected adults progress to AIDS in 10 years' time With the immune system destroyed, the infected will often die as a result of attack by diseases of different kinds. Health Condition

How is HIV virus transmitted through blood contact ?  Heterosexual contacts  Homosexual contacts  Injecting drug use  Blood / blood product recipients  Mother-to-child transmission

This Quarter (Jan to Mar 2004) Cumulative HIVAIDSHIVAIDS 1.Sex Male Female Ethnicity Chinese Non-Chinese Route of Transmission Heterosexual contacts Homosexual contacts Bisexual contacts Injecting drug use Blood / blood product recipients Perinatal00156 Undetermined Total HIV/AIDS Statistics in Hong Kong updated 31 March 2004

Facilities provided to AIDS victims: 1. Medical service two HIV clinics providing clinical and support services hospice care for those in the late stage of the disease 2. Funding AIDS Trust Fund provide financial assistance to AIDS patients strengthen medical and support services public education on AIDS

2. Funding AIDS Trust Fund provide financial assistance to AIDS patients strengthen medical and support services public education on AIDS 3. Counseling AIDS Foundation provide telephone counseling service regular social gatherings interest classes 3. Counseling AIDS Foundation provide telephone counseling service regular social gatherings interest classes workshops 5. Education Red Ribbon Centre organizes many community-based activities to promote the awareness of HIV and the acceptance of AIDS victims. provide education concerning safe sex to specific group

5.Legislation How does the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) protect people infected with HIV/AIDS and their families ? AIDS victims are protected against discrimination, harassment or vilification in the areas of employment, education, services and facilities etc.

Government & Charitable organization‘s viewpoint - Everyone should enjoy equal opportunities - Should not categorize AIDS patients as dangerous group - Whoever needs help should deserve communities ‘ help

Different viewpoint of the public - Traditional belief - Believe AIDS patients get infected because of their misbehavior - Discriminate AIDS patients because they think AIDS patients are dirty

Interviewee : Miss Vivian Leung Organization : Hong Kong AIDS Foundation Position : Senior Project Officer - People understand AIDS will not be transmitted through casual contact, but cannot get rid of the traditional thinking - Need more time for people to change their perception Interviewee ‘s viewpoint

Our Standpoint - We should support all AIDS patients - Positive attitude : 1. NO DISCRIMINATION 2. Treat them as NORAML PEOPLE 3. Let them enjoy EQUAL OPPORTUNITES 4. SUPPORT & RESPECT

Being the mother of a 4 year- old girl, how would you react if you found one of her classmates is HIV carrier, especially you are so worried that your daughter may get hurt when she plays around in school.

Your employees found out that a member of the company is an AIDS patients. They requested you, being the owner, to fire this man. However, you disagree. How would you explain your decision ?

Imagine you are pregnant and you have just discovered that you are a HIV virus carrier. The doctor tells you that your baby probably will be infected also. If the baby comes to the world, he may need to suffer from a lot of pain and discrimination. Yet to practise abortion would mean killing your own child. Facing with this dilemma, will you choose to give birth to the baby ? Why ?

Which of the following do you think is the best measure to minimize discrimination against the AIDS victims ? A. Education B. Legislation C. Promotion through mass media (e.g. TV commercials, movies etc.)

Suppose the government is planning to build a health clinic for the AIDS patients in Wanchai. As a Wanchai resident, do you think this will create any disturbance to your daily life? Suggest reasons if you are SUPPORTER / AGAINST this proposal.

Many people believe that most of the homosexuals are HIV virus carriers. Suppose you were a member of a homosexual organization. Design a poster to alter people’s misconception.