January 2010: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Leon Lai visited Longling County in Yunnan Province in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. For Leon this visit provided a rare opportunity to re-visit a project that he helped to launch almost 15 years ago.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010438264.jpgAs early as 1996 UNICEF began to provide micro credit support to Nansa Village in Longling County of Yunnan province close to China`s border with Myanmar. Longling County is one of the poorest counties in China and has a high HIV prevalence rate.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010601462.jpgIn numerous discussions with village women Leon learned about the changes and improvements that have taken place since the project began.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010602864.jpgBoth children and women eagerly participated in discussions. Leon observed that village women today are much more confident and empowered compared to his first visit.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010602110.jpgLeon`s visit attracted large groups of curious youngsters.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010603251.jpgVillage women gathered to discuss the many improvements they have made through various income generating projects.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010604137.jpgThe Local Action for Rural Children project seeks to reduce poverty through improved access to social services. In Nansa the project helps to mobilize local action against HIV/AIDS.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010605795.jpgSince 2006, 60 percent of out-of-school youth at county level know the keys facts about HIV/AIDS, and more than 9,000 villagers have been trained.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010605973.jpgCommunity awareness raising is spreading the important message that everyone has a stake in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010606151.jpgLeon traveled to Songshan Village in Lameng Township to meet with families affected by HIV/AIDS.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010607765.jpgIn this family mother and son are infected with HIV/AIDS. The father has died from the disease. Mother and son currently live with grandparents and receive regular anti retro viral treatments from local health authorities.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010607632.jpgThere is still a great need for education and awareness raising. Families affected by HIV live in fear that their status will be found out.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010608397.jpg``It is great to see how the people in these very remote villages are informing themselves about HIV/AIDS,`` Lai said. ``The youth I met and talked with are sharing knowledge with their friends and families.``
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010608242.jpgAs more and more residents of Longling County gain access to knowledge, skills and services essential to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
http://www.unicef.cn/cn/uploadfile/2012/0110/20120110010609525.jpgHope grows for a bright future for the children.
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