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Painting for Development

Country

Nigeria

Region

Africa

Programme Summary

Agenda for Community Development (AFCODE) is a community based organisation established to advance and promote the understanding and resolution of conflicts among teenagers and adolescents through research, training, outreach and practice. Their core programmes focus on drug abuse, HIV/AIDS prevention and peace work. The organisation believes that the creative arts can be used as a vehicle for change and education and established a participatory mural painting project called “Painting for Development”. This project aims to address drug abuse, HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention and promote a culture of non violence in Nigerian secondary schools in Lagos State.

Communication Strategies

The Painting for Development project is designed in such a way that students in each participating school participate actively in creating the mural. The paintings usually take two days to complete and on the third day the mural is unveiled with all the students in attendance. About one hour is scheduled on the third day for an educational presentation by an AFCODE resource person. They facilitate a discussion on the link between HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, especially through the practice of injecting drugs.

During visits to the schools, networks are formed called Teenagers Against Destructive Actions (TENADA). The reason for the networks is to further promote continuity in the use of creative approaches to prevent drug abuse and HIV/AIDS infections, such as mural painting, poster- making and exhibitions.

Development Issues

HIV/AIDS, Youth, Rights, Conflict.

Key Points

The project started in 2004. A poster design competition and exhibition to campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention as well as drug abuse prevention is planned in 2006. Prizes will be presented to mark the UN Day for the Prevention of Drug Abuse on Jun 26 2006.

Partners

Chemical and Allied Products Plc (CAP), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Eclipse Development Initiative (EDI), Chemical and Allied Products Plc.