● Why was it important for the students of Le Bocage to make this video?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme offered in the last two years at Le Bocage International School comprises a compulsory CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) constituent for which every student has to complete 150 hours. The 2009 CAS theme proposed by IB is ?Sharing our Humanity? and one of its sub-component, ?Global Infectious Diseases?. Since HIV/AIDS is one of the major threats of our modern world, these 14 students decided to concentrate their efforts on this subject ? hence doing worthwhile community service while completing CAS hours.

● Do you think such initiatives are the best way to create awareness around the HIV/ AIDS problem?

There are many ways of creating awareness but a visual support along with real-life situations presented by earnest young people who speak the same language of the heart and whose vision of things is not yet condescending is a very effective means of sensitizing adolescents on a subject, which closely concerns them.

The song, which is also part of the film, is I believe another definite means of catching the interest of young people whom this video targets. After all, music is a universal language.

● Did the making of this video change the mindset of the students concerned?

Definitely. The research involved, the interviews, the discussions with AIDS victims and social workers helped them not only to learn more about the subject but also to adopt a different perspective on the whole issue. Their misconceptions have been corrected but they have also learned how behaviour can be damaging. They have hence learned to modify their behaviours and attitudes to avoid harming others.

● What about the other students of the school?

The video was officially launched at school and even if the other students did not participate in the project itself, they have been able to view it. After the film show, we gave out questionnaires to the students. We were surprised at the responses. A vast majority confessed that they did not know much about the disease before the video and having learned a lot from it. But a few of them also came up to ask how they could do their bit to help. This is quite encouraging. On the whole, their answers to our questions showed that the objective of the video ? which is to raise awareness of the disease among youths and to help integrate young men and women vulnerable to the disease into the society ? has been met.

● Do students realize the danger of HIV/AIDS?

There is no doubt that students know of the disease. But they do not seem to measure its consequences. They do not seem to be well-informed about all the possible implications.

● What are the major difficulties you experienced with this problem?

It was difficult to convince HIV/AIDS victims to come forward and share their experiences. Had it not been for the ladies of the Mouvement pour le Progrès de Roche-Bois, we would have had a lot of difficulty to speak to them. People?s prejudices and rejection have marked them to such an extent that they are wary of talking about themselves.

And then there are the assumptions we make. When we first decided to do the video, we were told it would be a waste of time because people already knew about it. But there is a world of difference between having heard about something and knowing about it!

● Do you think that the authorities do enough to raise awareness?

Quite a lot has been done in the past. These days we focus mainly on sensitising about the behaviour to adopt towards HIV/AIDS victims. It would not be a bad idea to further promote knowledge and understanding of the disease itself. But then again, HIV/AIDS is such a big issue. It should not be the concern of the authorities only. We should all be concerned and be prepared to play our part.

● Do you feel young people are more exposed to HIV/AIDS?

Lack of proper information, exposure to drugs and to unprotected sex can affect anyone and young people are generally the least prepared to avoid the snare of such dangers. But our video, which focuses on Roche-Bois shows that young people there are more vulnerable as they do not have the necessary support and guidance. Poverty and its direct consequences slowly push adolescents into a world where drugs become their reality. HIV/AIDS follows. It is very likely that this is a pattern which occurs in other deprived areas as well.