The PLAS Vision

A world in which every child affected by HIV/AIDS lives free of stigma and discrimination, and in which all people are free from the threat of HIV/AIDS.

 

The PLAS Mission

In order to realize this vision, PLAS:

• . Gives care and support for AIDS orphans
• . Works to severe the vicious cycle into which AIDS orphans are born
• . Advocates on the current plight of AIDS orphans

These three pillars form the foundation for our organization's activities.

Our goal is a society in which communities work together without prejudice or discrimination against AIDS orphans in order to provide them with an education. Furthermore, in order to eliminate HIV/AIDS and reduce the number of AIDS orphans in the world, we are developing AIDS prevention activities, and supporting couples who are at risk of mother to child transmission. Also, in society at large we report on the present condition of AIDS orphans, and appeal to the necessity of providing them with support.

1.Education support for AIDS orphans

Provide support to educate the large number of AIDS orphans with no education.

2. End discrimination of AIDS orphans

Eliminate not only prejudice regarding AIDS, but also discrimination against AIDS orphans.

3.Educate about HIV/AIDS Prevention

Offer a chance for people to obtain good information about HIV/AIDS, and promote HIV examinations.

4.Support for couples and expecting/nursing mothers in cases where mother and child are at risk for infection.

Urge couples hoping to conceive and expecting/nursing mothers to be inspected for HIV. When HIV positive, endeavor to prevent the spread of the infection between mother and child. Finally, provide support for family planning.

5.Stimulate Independent Support in Communities

Because communities are the safety net for AIDS orphans, we promote and support their self development.

6.Improve recognition of the issue of AIDS orphans

n order to improve recognition of the issue of AIDS orphans, we advocate to society about the necessity of support. In addition we appeal to governments and organizations.

Message from the President

It is said that more than 40 million people in the world are infected by HIV. To confirm this with my own eyes I traveled to Africa, the problem had not yet come to Japan, and there I was presented with another reality: the children left behind by AIDS.the existence of AIDS orphans.

The majority of the population of the village that I visited was either the elderly or children. Many of the adult population had lost their lives to AIDS. Despite living in an area where the earth is rich for agriculture, where nutrition should be sufficient, the children with their swollen bellies were searching about for food. The shape of these children loitering about, the radiance and innocence in their eyes lost.this is the reality of AIDS orphans.

For the many AIDS orphans, though they are in the custody of relatives or neighborhood households, they suffer due to discrimination (stigma). Although the family should treat the orphan as their own child, instead they were fed leftovers. They were not sent to school, but rather many AIDS orphans are sent 5 km everyday to draw water. Even a foreigner could recognize for themselves the discrimination against these children that not only injures their hearts, but also snatches away their chance for an education. Even more, there is the increased risk of them becoming street children or prostitutes. Children who cannot be brave in the face of such discrimination leave home and gather to live together in houses that they have built themselves.

Seeing this situation, I became acutely aware of the problem of AIDS orphans. I then saw how the young local people who are also aware of this problem are working for the sake of AIDS orphans to construct schools and orphanages, even though they are living in poverty. When faced with this threat, these people took what little money they have and used their own limited power to solve the issues in the community themselves. They did this despite not even knowing the next time that they would eat.

Looking at these current conditions and feeling powerless myself, my first feeling was that at the very least I could report this situation to others. At a report meeting, I was able to gather like-minded individuals who were sympathetic to the necessity of action, and who were willing to volunteer in Africa, giving me the chance to establish the AIDS Orphan Support NGO - PLAS.

The world has been aware of HIV/AIDS for more than 20 years. There are many projects which focus on dealing with the issue of HIV/AIDS. However, these projects ignore the children who are also affected by this problem, so now we need to turn our attention to them. More and more, we must act to prevent the increased spread of HIV/AIDS, to surmount the growing crisis in Africa, and above all to support AIDS orphans. First, we must make more people aware of the current state of AIDS orphans and the problems they are facing. From there, in partnership with individuals and organizations from a variety of positions, such as NGOs, governments, private enterprises, international organizations, and the local population, we must work together to take action.

From now, in order to achieve this mission, PLAS, under the advice and guidance of various people, will push forward. For the support of AIDS orphans and a better society, we ask for your cooperation in our efforts.

AIDS Orphan Support NGO - PLAS President