Ulusi Youth Group is made up of 16-34 year olds in Usigu, western Kenya, and has been funded by ActionAid for five years.  

They got together because they wanted to do something about the high levels of HIV and AIDS in their community which has affected everyone in some way.  Many have lost parents, brothers, sisters and friends and some are HIV positive themselves.  

ActionAid helped them get training to be HIV AIDS advisors, counsellors and to care for people with AIDS related illnesses at home.

They decided to educate other young people about HIV AIDS, challenging the stigma which surrounds the virus and prevents people knowing how to protect themselves, get tested, or get treatment.  

They go out to busy public places like the beach and market and start singing and dancing to get everyone’s attention.  Next they perform plays about HIV to get their messages across, and afterwards encourage people to come to the office for personal advice or to get free condoms.  

At first some of the elders in the village didn’t like what they were doing; talking about sex openly is controversial there.  But lots of people came to see their plays and then went to get advice.  

HIV infection rates have declined, along with STDs and teenage pregnancies, and now the community realises this is thanks to the youth group.