Leon Lai at the frontline of the fight against HIV/AIDS
Local Action for Rural Children
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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.
As 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.
In numerous discussions with village women Leon learned about the changes and improvements that have taken place since the project began.
Both children and women eagerly participated in discussions. Leon observed that village women today are much more confident and empowered compared to his first visit.
Leon's visit attracted large groups of curious youngsters.
Village women gathered to discuss the many improvements they have made through various income generating projects.
The 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.
Since 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.
Community awareness raising is spreading the important message that everyone has a stake in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Leon traveled to Songshan Village in Lameng Township to meet with families affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 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.
There is still a great need for education and awareness raising. Families affected by HIV live in fear that their status will be found out.
"It is great to see how the people in these very remote villages are informing themselves about HIV/AIDS. The youth I met and talked with are sharing knowledge with their friends and families."
As more and more residents of Longling County gain access to knowledge, skills and services essential to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Hope grows for a bright future for the children.
