Bridges of Hope: HIV/AIDS Training Materials and Users Guide

Located in Zimbabwe, Bridges of Hope works to clarify and promote the range of choices for people to minimise their risk of HIV infection; help people to plot their own course to a safer lifestyle; and introduce Positive Living approaches and techniques that help those Living with HIV to stay healthy and live longer.

To achieve their mission, Bridges of Hope provides a comprehensive participatory training and education package including training materials and a Users Guide that can be integrated into existing HIV/AIDS training programmes.

The Users Guide provides detailed instructions for ten educational activities and is divided into seven sections:

• Summary
• Guidelines for Facilitators
• Activities/Objectives
• Appendix One: Key Information
• Appendix Two: Key Concepts
• Appendix Three: Case Studies
• Appendix Four: Evaluation/Feedback Form

One example of an activity is "Walking the Bridges" where "participants try to cross a 'narrow bridge' (a thin plank on the ground representing Abstinence then Faithfulness), over 'crocodile infested water' to reach the island of their future. The crocodiles represent HIV and other STIs. Most people have difficulties crossing and many fall off the bridge. After everyone has tried the narrow bridge, a second bridge is added in parallel (representing Condom use), which then enables them to cross safely with ease. This fun and quick exercise creates a strong visual as well as physical experience which is representative of using Abstinence, Faithfulness and or Condoms, to minimize the risk of HIV infection. It gets everyone involved and starts people thinking about the concept of these three ways to support them staying out of the dangerous flood containing HIV/AIDS." Images of the crocodiles and the island are available for download with the Users Guide.