What does HIV/AIDS mean to your children?A

What does HIV/AIDS mean to your children?

The Teresa Group’s Simone Shindler says in grades five and six, children are reaching puberty and becoming conscious of their sexuality. This means they’re becoming increasingly conscious of AIDS. However, Shindler says, children are not being educated well. Schools are telling students the facts about AIDS, but not teaching students empathy or sensitivity when approaching the topic.

There’s a myth that AIDS is “dirty”, Shindler says. "People run from those who have it because there’s still a fear. There’s a belief that somebody did something wrong to get HIV or AIDS. As well, people believe that their schools are not affected by HIV or AIDS."

She says kids are the ones who should be educated and sensitized, because it’s not going away. "HIV and AIDS will be with us for generations."

The Teresa Group has published books to share the stories of children who are living with HIV or AIDS. In Bye-bye Secrets and Hopes, Wishes and Dreams, children living with HIV and AIDS share their experiences. Shindler reports that these kids were empowered by the opportunity to express themselves through their writing and art.

The books were published to educate and support families, teachers and health-care workers. As well, they were published to help decrease stigma and to sensitize children and educators to the impact of HIV/AIDS on families.