YOUTHS AIM TO FIGHT AIDS IN AFRICA

A few years ago, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, "In too many countries, an official conspiracy of silence about AIDS has denied people information that could have saved their lives. We must empower young people to protect themselves through information and a supportive social environment that reduces their vulnerability to infection."

No continent has been more devastated by AIDS than Africa. Although Africa has 10 percent of the world's population, it is home to 70 percent of all people with HIV, according to UNICEF.

Teens in Ghana and Zambia are working in different ways to bring about the change Annan envisions.

"We see what the youth go through and write what we can," said Limpo Chinika, 19, who works at Trendsetters, a youth-run journalism organization in Zambia. It publishes a monthly magazine as well as a free school edition focusing on HIV/AIDS and other health concerns.

"We try to (make it) fun, funky and everything that interests young people at school," staff member Peter Nawa, 17, said by telephone from the magazine's offices in Lusaka, Zambia's capital.

During the past eight years, the magazine has expanded its paid circulation to more than 10,000, making it the highest-circulation monthly publication in the country.

Another organization whose mission is to raise awareness of AIDS is Gateway Youth Ambassadors, a project of the U.S.-based Children's Christian Storehouse. Unlike Trendsetters, which targets youths in Zambia, Gateway works to educate national and international audiences on a variety of issues, including AIDS.

Gateway activists convey their message in song and dance.

"We reach out to the people and plead with them to be able to help us afford the medicine," said Victoria Kwablah, 18.

"As African children, we are also trying to promote our country and our countrymen. You see, a lot of Western people think Africa is a place where the people live in jungles and other kind of stuff. We are trying to obtain contact with different countries so that we can teach others about our culture, so they will know the way that African children are and will also know the way we aren't."

Gateway also spreads awareness internally. Performer Michael Kpakpo Mingle, 18, explained that about 200 people in his country contract HIV every day, mainly due to inadequate information and treatment.

Both organizations have been recognized for their efforts. Gateway performers were chosen to travel across the United States with Bono, vocalist for the band U2. Organized by DATA, a nonprofit group that works to inform individuals about trade, debt and AIDS as they relate to Africa, the "Heart of America" tour was designed to educate Americans about the AIDS pandemic. The group stopped in Indianapolis in December.

For its reporting on population issues, Trendsetters won the 1997 Global Media Award, presented by the Population Institute, an international organization based in Washington. It was recognized three years later as a leading youth nongovernmental organization in Zambia.

Staff members, however, measure success in a different way.

"The public used to condemn (Trendsetters and) its main focus about sex," said Kelly Telebwe, 18. "Here in Africa, it's usually taboo to talk about these things publicly. But now I think people are getting used to it, and they know the importance of informing the public about these issues."

"Other organizations are very cautious of what they write about," Peter said. "They're very restricted, unlike youth media, where it gives out the whole picture."

Despite the best efforts of organizations such as Gateway and Trendsetters, much of the African population remains in the dark about the causes of HIV/AIDS. According to the United Nations, only 22 percent of young people in Ghana and 26 percent in Zambia have sufficient knowledge to protect themselves. In Zambia, 32 percent of youths believe HIV can be transmitted by supernatural means. Also, though 57 percent of adolescents in Zambia know a place to get tested, only 4 percent actually have done so.

This lack of awareness has resulted in an unprecedented epidemic. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 8.5 million people ages 15 to 24 are infected. This devastation motivates these activists to continue the fight against AIDS. "Either we fight it or we get killed by it," Peter said.

"(AIDS has) taken away a lot of the people who could've really contributed to making Africa something," said Kapalu Mutenda, 17, of Trendsetters. "But unlike some other African countries, the more AIDS tries to weaken us, I think the stronger we become."

Many of these activists have suffered personal losses. Michael lost a friend to AIDS. Limpo and Peter lost relatives. Kelly lost his older sister, as well as many of his teachers. "But as they say, a problem shared is a problem half-solved," Kelly said. "I think by informing a lot of people about this disease, I tend to relieve myself of my emotional pain."

Despite the odds, volunteers are optimistic.

"I think it should get better and better," Victoria said. "I think Ghana is also trying its best to come up with something positive and something good."

"The people who are going to benefit the most are the people of our generation," Kapalu said. "Ten years from now, we'll be the ones in charge. We'll be the ones who are heading the revival of Zambia and Africa as a whole."

REPORTERS: Tiera Haley, 12; Emily Kasnak, 12.