Children and young people are the vulnerable group to HIV/ AIDS infection in India. It is estimated that 70,000 children below the age of 15 years are living with HIV in the country and 21,000 children are infected every year through parent-to-child transmission. Bangalore is one of the 10 high prevalence districts in Karnataka, according to World Vision India, a non-governmental organization.

In order to sensitize the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS amongst children, World Vision India has launched its ‘One Life Experience’ which is a walk-through exhibit campaign in Bangalore to sensitize people. The campaign is part of World Vision India’s initiative to raise issues concerning children affected with this deadly virus.

The ‘One Life Experience’ is a captivating audio tour in small hut which allows the visitors to experience the impact of HIV/ AIDS by stepping into the life of a real child. Entering into the hut, visitors will be given an iPod shuffle and the audio narrates the crisis of an helpless child.

The first campaign was launched at the community hall of All Saints Church by R R Jannu, KAS, project director, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society. Also present were K Saroja Puthran, president, Karnataka Network of Positive People and Jeshurun Sunil Rajan, project officer, Bangalore Orphan and Vulnerable Children Project, part of World Vision India, which has been working since August 2005 in Bangalore to mitigate the impact of HIV AIDS in Children and their families.

“Going forward we plan to replicate the campaign in different parts of Bangalore. We would partner with schools, colleges, Government Organizations, Malls and other facilities where the community foot fall is high. Advocating for the cause has become important for Children Living with HIV (CLHIV’s), stated Jeshurun.

World Vision India is a humanitarian organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. The NGO is present across 174 locations in the country.