Students to share AIDS info

This training programme will be a continuance of the peer educator programme of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross known as “Together We Can.”

Margarita Elliot, health coordinator at the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross said that, “This is a big and important step for Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross as we will be able to specifically target students at the tertiary education level. This is an important group that has not yet embarked upon their own programme for HIV/AIDS prevention.” As part of the programme, 200 peer educators will be trained to participate in the project, which has targeted 2,000 students. The training of the first group ran from August 18 to 20 in order to be ready for the first-year students whose semester starts in September.

Elliot also explained that “the timing of the programme to commensurate with the beginning of the term is really very important. Entering into university life means a lot of changes for the first-year students who are suddenly faced with the prospect of being away from their families and forging new relationships.”

She also added that “during this time (at university) it will be beneficial for the students to reinforce their knowledge of health and HIV/AIDS and also to be reminded how the virus can be prevented.”

The Red Cross Society has entered into a partnership with the Educational Development Centre (EDC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society and in collaboration with the UWIHARP and “Arts in Action” to facilitate the dissemination of crucial HIV/AIDS information among the new students.