Embassy Headlines
Peace Corps Bike Tour Combats HIV/AIDS Stigmatization in Far North
Nineteen Peace Corps volunteers of the Far North Province and three Peace Corps staff members embarked on an HIV/AIDS bike tour, from November 12 through 24, 2007, under the slogan On Est Ensemble, Vivons Ensemble! (“We Are Together, Let’s Live Together!”). The aim of the tour was to educate the residents of the Far North Province about HIV/AIDS in general and, specifically, to reduce the stigmatization and discrimination people living with HIV and AIDS suffer. One of the group’s messages was that stigmatization itself presents a significant barrier to the overall campaign against HIV/AIDS. The cyclists visited ten villages in the Far North, beginning their informative goodwill journey in Tokombéré, on November 12, and ending in Maroua, close to two weeks later. Additional stops included Meri, Mokolo, Koza, Mozogo, Kolofata, Magdeme, Pete and Bogo.
In the nine villages leading up to the final stop in Maroua, thirty volunteers conducted action-plan meetings with local community groups. The volunteers also hosted an educational soirée with the targeted community groups. In Mokolo, U.S. Ambassador Janet E. Garvey joined the group by offering remarks on HIV/AIDS awareness and participating in the Mokolo Fair held there.
The tour was a huge success. Peace Corps volunteers clocked in a total of 127 kilometers. The event reached its goal of raising HIV/AIDS awareness in the Far North Province. (photo gallery)