Red HAT Busy in Philippines Fighting HIV/AIDS

With the help from five Christian Reformed World Misssions Summer Mission Program volunteers, the Red HAT program recently began its campaign to bring HIV and AIDS education and awareness to youth in the Philippines. 

Since June, the SMPers and other peer educators, including Filipino youth who are HIV-positive, have been busy putting on workshops in schools and other venues in the Laguna area.

“I thank God for the energy that the kids have for the subject. There has been overwhelming response and this is great because we didn't know what to expect,” says Eric Stehouwer, a SMPer from Kalamazoo, Mich.

Eight other young people are working on SMP assignments – short-term opportunities for young people to become involved in foreign ministry for the CRC -- in countries other than the Philippines this summer.

As part of Red HAT, SMPers are closely working with the Classis Southern Luzon of the Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines in running the HIV and AIDS awareness campaign.

The name Red HAT stands for HIV and AIDS Team and "Red" refers to the international color for AIDS. Red HAT's pioneer members are individuals who come from three of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s partners: the Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines, CRWM, and Buklod Biyayang Kristiano, a group that has been offering workshops to educate pastors and other church leaders about HIV and AIDS for two years.

"This effort all started about five years ago when CRWRC initiated the Justice Integration project,” which included development of HIV-AIDS prevention programs, says Joe Lamigo, CRWRC Philippines Team Leader.

“Our goal is to educate, empower and engage the churches and communities not just on living with HIV-AIDS, but more so in caring for those who are affected and in leading sustainable community advocacy through the Local AIDS Council in their communities," says Lamigo.

After undergoing training in June, the SMPers and local peer educators prepared posters, put together a drama that shows what HIV does to the body and immune system, and developed workshops focusing on God's right design for how sex is for marriage.

Also part of each 95-minute workshop is testimony from HIV-positive youth involved with Pinoy Plus, a non- profit organization of Filipinos who are HIV-positive and offer care and support to fellow HIV-positive youth.

Stehouwer says he likes taking part in the drama, especially since it then allows him a chance afterwards to talk to the youth about abstaining from sex before marriage.

“Everywhere I go, after each workshop, I see the change in attitude of the participants: They now have a caring attitude toward people living with HIV and AIDS,” says Red HAT pioneer member and champion Myra Patal.

“The best experience for me is being able to share Christian message in public schools,” says SMPer Karlynn Vis. “Back home we couldn't do it. It is interesting how people have grown into the campaign.”

Red HAT's team leader is Dr. Blesshe Querijero, an active member of Los Banos Christian Reformed Church, and she works with the Philippine government's Department of Science and Technology. Co-team leader of Red HAT is Gladys Thielke, CRWM missionary in the Philippines.

For more information, contact Red HAT: [email protected]. For more information on, the SMP program, visit: www.crwm.org/smp.