• Migration of workers in search jobs has resulted in the importation of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) mainly HIV/AIDS, to this area. HIV/AIDS has claimed the lives of at least 30 women and children in one of the nearby villages (name withheld)  in the past 5 years.
• We are integrating  HIV/AIDS prevention, care and  support in all our programmes. To ensure this,  we study and assess the vulnerability of the various stake holders, and empower them to protect themselves from STI/HIV/AIDS  infection.
• We have 5 children living at our Community Centre whose parents and a younger brother are affected by HIV/AIDS.There is no-one to look after the children  and hence SPPD is taking care of them.

In the year 2004-05, SPPD started a project on Prevention of HIV/ AIDS/STI among the rural community initiating care and support services for infected people and their dependents.This project was funded by Irish Embassy, New Delhi. This project was aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS/STI among the general public and providing care and support to people who are living with HIV/AIDS/STI.

In the same year, SPPD started another project, aided by TNVHA/ Elton John Foundation, titled “Prevention of  HIV / AIDS related Stigma, Denial & Discrimination and STI” which focused on  preventing social exclusion of  people who are living with HIV/AIDS .
 
Although SPPD had no specific funding for this acute problem for the year 2005-08 its staff continued to provide education on prevention, and referral services to the members of our Self-Help Groups, Farmers Clubs and the children,mainly in the following ways:

• SPPD has an active “ Red Ribbon Club” which was started in the year 2004 and named  “Vidiyal Special Group” This group consists of people living with HIV/AIDS and is linked to “Magalir Thittam” (Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation).
• Red Ribbon Club (comprises 17 members)  meets once in a month to discuss on issues pertaining to their health, livelihood and internal lending . 
• Referral to AIDS clinics in Trichy. 
• Education to reduce HIV/AIDS related  Stigma, Discrimination and Denial among the  SHG and general public 
• Rice distribution  through an initiative called "One Hand Rice" - donated  biweekly by women in SHGs (Every member of the SHG is invited to put aside one handful of rice every time she cooks -  for  free distribution to  those affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS).
  
  In 2009, funded by  Becton, Dickinsion & Co,USA, SPPD  commenced a project on ‘HIV/ AIDS Prevention and Awareness Training in Tamil Nadu”  The objective are enhanced awareness training for  people living with HIV/AIDS including Female Sex Workers and other sexual minorities. This project started on 15th  March,2009 and will run until March 2010. 
  
  Activities undertaken through the BD sponsored project include :

Awareness Building

• Awareness is   being given to SHG members and members of Farmers Club to enrich their knowledge on mode of transmission, preventive measures, importance of condom usage and effect of stigma, discrimination and denial on those infected with HIV/AIDS. It is expected that about 956 direct beneficiaries and 7170 indirect beneficiaries from the Self Help Groups and 26  direct beneficiaries and 170 indirect beneficiaries from Farmers Club will have been made aware of the above mentioned issues on  completion of the project.
• Spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS, opportunistic infection, causes of  transmission , condom promotion, immune status of PLWHA and mode of transmission is being carried with a view to benefitting the Tutors and Children in the Evening Study Centres.  At the end of  the project, about 20 Tutors and  716 children in the Centres , 500 school children and 2000 village people will have become aware of HIV/AIDS. Using IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials, awareness is being  created to enrich the knowledge on HIV/AIDS  in the communities.
• REFERRAL LINKAGES & COUNSELING: Referral  and Linkage service is  being  given to people who come to seek more knowledge and guidance on HIV/AIDS/STI Testing  facilities and procedures. Counseling on  HIV/AIDS/STI related problems is also  being given  to  PLWHA with a view to improve the mental status and helping them adjust to their situation. SPPD expects that a large percentage of the community will have been able to avail itself of this service during the project period.
• CARE & SUPPORT: Through this project, SPPD is supporting 5 children who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Those children are given food, clothes, shelter and education
• EDUCATION TO FEMALE SEX WORKERS AND OTHER SEXUAL MINORITIES : These groups are identified as high risk communities and need to be educated on  HIV/AIDS Transmission so that they communicate the same to their peers and partners. This will lead to increased level of understanding of the HIV /AIDS transmission and reduce the rate of infection among themselves.