"AIDS IN AFRICA: A Fight For Survival"

AIDS ribbon

A Television Documentary on The Voice of America

Showing on WORLDNET Television Affiliate Stations in 2001

WHAT'S AVAILABLE


Producers Diane Butts and Brian Padden and photographer Darrell Allen traveled to several African countries in October 2000 to produce stories documenting the AIDS crisis on the continent. Each story demonstrates the work of the people, governments and organizations working to stem the epidemic with the hope of raising awareness about the challenges and what lies ahead.

The trips have yielded several products including a thirty-minute documentary;  a twelve-minute video for African leaders; and a compilation reel of stories specifically for affiliate television stations.  All products will be available for use by VOA, WORLDNET, VOA-TV, the State Department, USIS posts, and affiliate stations in Africa.

"AIDS IN AFRICA: A Fight For Survival" This thirty-minute documentary will air on WORLDNET/VOA Television in April 2001.  Air dates and times are Wednesdays [1800 GMT] and Thursdays [1900 GMT.] It will be broadcast to audiences receiving AF, IOR, EU, and AOR/DOS satellites.

The following elements are included in the documentary:

STORIES


Uganda – “Helping Hands”
Several HIV positive people discuss the impact of the disease on their lives and what they’re doing to raise awareness. Includes information about the vaccine trials and the work of the Uganda AIDS Commission.

South Africa – "Breaking the Silence
 AIDS activist Pholokolo is working diligently in the fight against AIDS.  This is his story about the often-invisible nature of AIDS in Africa and the effects on family and loved ones.
Zambia – "Living Positively"
The story of Brigitt and Kabanda Syamalevwe, the first HIV positive couple to come out publicly in Zambia. 
 
Senegal – "Preventing an Epidemic"
This west African country has been able to keep the number of new HIV infections below two percent.

"Fighting AIDS IN AFRICA"
Leadership Video
This 12 minute video presents an overview of AIDS in Africa and how countries, governments, and people are coping with the epidemic.  HIV patients describe their plight and why it is important to raise awareness.  Using narration and sound bites, government representatives, health experts, and victims discuss the health, economic, political and social impact of the AIDS crisis in Africa.  It is designed for leaders in a position to effect change in their countries.

Compilation Story Reel

Approximately one hour in length.  Includes all full-length stories shot/edited by Brian Padden and Diane Butts during our October trips to Africa and several sound bites from UN-AIDS and WHO Geneva-based officials.  The longer stories include more information about the officials in country and the efforts of the government.
Individually, these stories can be shown on “Africa Journal,” “Straight Talk Africa,” “This Week,” etc. as appropriate.  They are also adaptable for a radio audience.
 
Stories
  • Uganda – “Helping Hands” 
  •  South Africa – “Breaking the Silence”
  • Zambia – “Living Positively” 
  •  Senegal – “Preventing an Epidemic”
  • Ghana - “Getting the Word Out” illustrates how the efforts of the media, the government and social marketing organizations are advancing the fight in Ghana.
  • South Africa - “A Glimmer of Hope” talks about the role of AIDS drugs in preventing mother-to-child transmission in South Africa.
  • Zimbabwe - “Never Too Late” is the story of former prostitute Brenda Nyamhumga and her work in AIDS prevention. 

 

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