[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/01/art.ambassadors.jpg caption=”Teen AIDS Ambassadors pose for a photograph in Tanzania. “]
Santa Monica, California, is far from Tanzania. But a group of high schoolers there makes the distance seem closer. The Crossroads Teen AIDS Ambassadors are the youngest certified educator-activists in the country working toward the eradication of the disease.
The California students bring their mountainous mission to Africa. They travel to Tanzania and other countries to help tell their young counterparts about the history of the pandemic, the virology of HIV, and the importance of safe sex. Kids from Tanzania have come to California to go through the program to experience and see inspiration of a life minus the disease.
The hours are long, the information is daunting, and the trek is substantial. But from the AIDS Ambassadors’ perspectives, even their small hands can help start move the mountain.
Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview
Young People Who Rock 
I think it’s very good way to teach african children about AIDS etc. But we needs more and more projects like this…!!
This does seem like a fantastic project. My question is how these teens raise the money to be able to make all of this happen – so many young people could get involved in projects like this around the country, but first need the funds to do so.
It is so important for all of us to know that education is the key to success. What these teens are doing by educating the African children about HIV is the right thing to do. Let us encourage more teens to join.
What a great story! These kids should be applauded, and I hope their story inspires others to do the same. It does not take a million $ to save a life in Africa! Every little bit helps.
Keep us posted on what happens next.
I am one of the Crossroads Teen AIDS Ambassadors. We started this program 2 years ago with an intensive training weekend at UCLA. 40 students, including myself, were trained there about the HIV virus, how to prevent it, misconceptions about the virus, what causes AIDS, and the global impact of the pandemic. Since then, our group has more than double the students it started with and we continue to go strong and spread awareness,
We don’t just educate the African children. We stravel all around Southern Californi going to school and doing a presentation covering every element of the disease. We have all become experts in the field and do countless presentations, both educating our peers and urging them to get involved. I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to participate in this program. Knowledge is power, and we hope to spread power all around the world until this pandemic is eradicated.
-Ali, 10th grade Ambassador
Love Life!!! Stop AIDS!!!
Kudos to the Teen AIDS Ambassador program….Sounds like an excellent initiative. I hope teens can continue to help teens in this very and meaningful way!
Interesting to read from other comments below that the Teen AIDS program is very active in Southern California, carrying prevention info to local schools.
This is great and wonderful work that needs to be done. However, it would also be nice to see similar initiatives making progress and changing lives here at home – particularly among our young and vulnerable gay youth.
It’s amazing that discussions about safer sex can take place in Africa, when similar discussions are stifled at home by religious interests groups. Here’s hoping the safer sex message will spread just as quickly as the disease has.
Way to go
I think this is awesome. My mom just went on a pilgrimage to Africa. When she was there she help put with this organization that had child care workers take care of orphaned children. The children’s parents had died of aids and they had no where to go. When my mom came back she saw he whole life in a whole different perspective.
The safest sex is abstinence. If these young people spread that message, they’re on the right track.
I am so inspired by the vision and work of these young ambassadors. African children, like other children elsewhere, will learn much faster from other children. I know this through the work we do at Action Africa, Inc., a non-profit organization working in Africa (www.actionafrica.org). Children are our focus. HIV/AIDS is a nightmare that does not have to rule another day. Prevention is key. Thanks to the CA kids.
Dr. Chris N. Egbulem, President.
My good friend and his brother have spent the last three years producing a non-profit documentary to help spread the word on AIDS in Africa…both are just out of college…and live in the Santa Monica area as well…check out their film and learn how you can help…http://www.intothelightfilm.com/
How can I help? Hit me up.
I think what all these people are doing is just wonderful. If we wanted to donate $$ or teddy bears ect. How do we find these people to make our donations?
Great job! I really love the idea. We studies Africa this year in school and realized how important it was to do something about HIV/AIDS. I’m glad that you are doing something.
hey ))
its very unconventional point of view.
Nice post.
realy gj
thank you 😉
Hey,
i must say wow! Its so great that people are actually helpin other people in my continent! i do as much as i can here in my country [the Gambia] but i would really like to do something with you all.
Bravo Teen AIDS Ambassadors. You’re work has a hugh impact. I am a Health Peace Volunteer in Moldova, Europe. I watched the first 3 minutes of the video that is up on your page of MySpace. I would like the video sent me on CD if possible. I have started a Health Club at a school in northwest Moldova. The club is named “Health of Life” and consists of mostly 6th and 7th graders with a few 11th graders. Next month, November, is AIDS Awaress month. One of the things “Health of Life” wants to do is present a small play to the elementary kids. The thing is this is their first time ever doing something like this, and on top of that they have no explains of children their age doing anything active with health related topics like what your group does. Showing the video would really motivate them and help get their energies moving in the right direction. Send me an email and I will send you our address.
Peace.