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‘Today, on World AIDS Day 2011, we are raising awareness in Dharamsala. Please join us in our fight against HIV/AIDS!’

The call rang out in English, Tibetan, and Hindi in the Main Square on December 1, as members of two local NGOs drew a crowd around their kiosks near the bus stand.

Phuntsok Chomphel, project manager for CHOICE  an NGO dedicated to AIDS awareness and supporting HIV patients within the community, addressed bystanders with his megaphone. ‘Zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths is the theme for World AIDS Day this year,’ he told Phayul.

‘Right now the number of AIDS patients in the exiled Tibetan community is being put at 49. However, I believe the number could be much higher.’

Representatives of CHOICE and Kunphen – another Tibetan NGO working to prevent AIDS in the exiled Tibetan community – manned information booths, distributed condoms and educational material, and engaged passersby in dialogue about HIV awareness and prevention strategies.

‘We are trying to engage people and help them to see that there should be no discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS,’ said Tenzin Lekphel, of Kunphen. ‘We’re working with people to help them access medication and treatment, and spreading awareness in all Tibetan settlements and schools in India.’

Volunteers encouraged people to add their names to an ongoing signature campaign, pledging to help meet the worldwide goal of ‘getting to zero’ in Dharamsala. The groups estimate that approximately 83,000 Tibetan refugees in India could be categorised as a high-risk group for HIV infection due to high mobility, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare facilities.

To highlight the issue, a group of young people  friends of CHOICE and Kunphen  marched towards the town centre in costume, beating drums and drawing spectators towards the Main Square. A street play educated a growing audience of locals and tourists alike about the spread of HIV/AIDS and strategies for prevention.

‘It’s great that they’re doing this out here in the Main Square,’ a foreign volunteer told Contact as he watched the performance. ‘It’s silly and fun, and I think it’s breaking the ice really well so people don’t feel so shy about this topic.’

The tactic appeared effective, as after the performance groups of people approached the kiosks requesting information, free condoms, and markers to sign the pledge. As a new year approaches, CHOICE and Kunphen will continue to work towards making assistance available to families in the Dharamsala area affected by HIV/AIDS, and spread awareness to eliminate discrimination.

‘This kind of support not only ensures better treatment but also improves their quality of life,’ Chomphel told Phayul.

‘It enables them to feel accepted in their society and gives them the confidence to be a constructive part of the community.’