UpWorthy’s social writer and YouTuber, Francesca Ramsey, recently covered the story of a simple HIV Positive poster campaign that is educating the people of Brazil and gaining worldwide attention. UpWorthy engages 50 million people each month with it’s daily news feed dedicated to drawing attention to things that matter.
This poster is HIV-positive. The people who read it are instantly touched.
By Franchesca Ramsey | UpWorthy| 5/1/15
They’re not just living with HIV. They’re also living with the stigma of HIV.
According to the World Health Organization, at the end of 2013 close to 35 million people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Thankfully, numerous medical advancements now allow people with the virus to continue living normal, happy lives. But there are still tons of people who are confused about how the virus is transmitted. And for HIV-positive folks like Micaela, that can lead to some pretty painful encounters.
A powerful ad campaign is changing how people think about HIV by putting the virus right in front of them.
The traditional approach taken by the NGO Life Support Group (GIV) to bring awareness to the stigma and reality of people living with HIV Aids is simple, effective and touching. It gives an interactive opportunity to eliminate the stigma those living with the disease experience every day.
The real drop of dried of blood on each HIV positive poster is intriguing. It draws people in, then educates them about the facts surrounding the transmission of the disease. The post reads like a biography of how it was created “just like any other poster….except for one thing. I am HIV positive.” It goes on to talk about the usual response people have to that news, as though the poster is a real person. Most people living HIV positive receive harsh backlash from the misunderstanding and stigma attached to the disease. That alone has socially and emotionally isolating effects.
By dispelling the myths of HIV transmission within the poster’s text and humanization, the drop of blood and HIV individuals are no longer threatening. The harmlessness of both become a realization. “You’re just like everyone else.,” exclaims a woman in the video. The poster has done it’s job.
63% of supporters want to know how their donation will be used. The perfect way to help people understand – and remember – is to let them touch or experience it themselves. Hands-on teaching sticks with people 8-9 times more than reading or hearing facts and statistics. Bringing awareness to your cause helps boost support and donations.
TIP: Instead of just telling people what you do, why not turn it into a memorable experience? Consider setting up an interactive station at your fundraising event to convey the purpose of your cause. We’re sure this simple addition will inspire supporters and be the talk of your event – long after it’s over!
Creating an instructional video for an DIY experience related to your cause is a great alternative for anyone not able to make it to you event. Plus, you can share the link as part of your mobile messaging campaign to keep donors engaged.
