Young Artists Raise Funds for Pediatric HIV Services
Over 500 young and professional artists and talented children donated works for Ukraine’s two-day “Youth Art Against AIDS” exhibition-auction in December 2007, which raised approximately 32,000 UAH (nearly US$6,500) in charitable contributions. Funds raised will be used to purchase equipment for a mobile clinic designed specially for HIV-positive children. The USAID-supported ICF International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine produced the event to raise support and public awareness of issues that affect children with HIV, and to promote tolerance and inclusiveness.
Well-known Ukrainian artist Tetyana Goryushyna participated in the event for the second time this year. “For me, this exhibition-auction is an opportunity to help HIV-positive children. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to apply artistic talent for the benefit of those who need help the most. The event brought together people of different professions; perhaps by standing side-by-side and being as one, our society could overcome the serious problems and issues it is currently facing,” she remarked.
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A girl participates in an Easter egg-painting workshop
Photo Credit: Mila Teshaeva |
Currently 1,500 Ukrainian children under the age of 14 have confirmed HIV status. The majority of these children acquired the virus from their mothers. The HIV/AIDS epidemic, which began and continues to develop among Ukraine’s most vulnerable groups, has been spreading into the general population, becoming a nationwide issue.
“HIV-positive children remain one of the many faces of the epidemic and are most vulnerable to social exclusion. International and Ukrainian rights protection organizations have long reported rights violations of people living with HIV and especially children. In Ukraine access to education, specialized medical care, particularly in the regions, is still limited for HIV-positive children. There are no set national standards for medical care, education, social support and psychological rehabilitation for children affected by the epidemic,” said Pavlo Skala, policy and advocacy manager at the Alliance Ukraine.
Indeed, the issue of access for HIV-positive children to primary education and high schools remains open in Ukraine. A school has no legal right to refuse a HIV-positive child, but such cases occur on regular basis. Experts point to lack of information on HIV and unrestricted access to confidential medical information by education and medical authorities as perpetuating the problem.
“Young Art Against AIDS,” which draws together charitable organisations, private donors and diplomatic missions, is unique to Ukraine. But the Alliance Ukraine doesn’t believe that this effort is enough. The organization contends that to reduce stigma and discrimination toward children with HIV, state institutions have to support and get more actively involved in development of information campaigns on HIV/AIDS for medical workers, teachers in orphanages, hostels and boarding schools. The Alliance Ukraine has also called on the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports Issues to clearly define a pool of people at school who has access to confidential medical information on HIV-positive status of a child.
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Father and son examine the photo exhibit
Photo Credit: Mila Teshaeva |
Teens take part in a beading workshop
Photo Credit: Mila Teshaeva |
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