Art vs. AIDS in Togo
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UNDP-Togo and UNAIDS are sponsoring a major public-art campaign
against HIV/AIDS in Togo. Many of the best artists from Togo's inter-
nationally acclaimed art scene have created billboards and murals to
bring the public's attention to the AIDS epidemic and to promote
safer sexual behavior. To learn more about the project and to see the
artwork, visit:
WHAT THE ARTISTS SAY ABOUT ART VS. AIDS
Togolese artist Koko: "My goal is to use my art to make everyone
aware of the disease -- young people, old people, everyone."
Togolese artist Amivi Homawoo: "I had an aunt who died of AIDS. In my
mural, I wanted to send a message to everyone who thinks the disease
doesn't exist."
Togolese artist Azankpo: "We have to reach the youth. If you want to
talk about AIDS, you have to talk about certain realities. And the
reality is sex."
WHAT TOGOLESE SAY ABOUT ART VS. AIDS
Agathe Kave, sandwich seller: "Young people see this, and they think
about their lives."
Clovis Kassa, scooter taxi driver: "It touches me. It speaks to me."
Abla Akpedou, orange seller: "Sometimes I see AIDS patients in hospi-
tals, and they call the disease by other names. This (art) is impor-
tant to make them realize that it's AIDS."
Kokou Gbedje, money changer: "I think seeing this, people will use
condoms more."
UNDP-TOGO AND UNAIDS ON ART VS. AIDS
Art vs. AIDS is helping to significantly raise public awareness of
HIV/AIDS in Togo, and is making a major contribution to international
HIV/AIDS prevention efforts on the Abidjan-Lagos axis. Three projects
have been completed since International AIDS Day last December 1:
* an Urban Mural project in urban centers,
* a Coast-to-Coast project covering the highway from Ghana to Benin,
* and the Wear to Care project, in which school kids created anti-
AIDS T-shirt designs.
Art vs. AIDS will continue to expand to cover other areas and reach
new target groups in the future.
--
Pauline Oosterhoff
mailto:pauline.oosterhoff@undp.org
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