Mrs.Carmela Todisco Desk Officer for India from Italian Red Cross and Mr. Matteo Ciarli, Country Representative from Italian Red Cross visited Tirunelveli District Red Cross Branch on 24th & 25th February 2009 where IRCS TN Branch is implementing Youth Peer Education Programme with the support of Italian Red Cross.

On 24th February, the team visited Community College V.M Chatram and interacted with the peer educators. The interaction helped to understand the knowledge and interest of the students in HIV/AIDS awareness. 25 peer educators participated. Followed by that, the team attended an HIV/AIDS awareness programme conducted for 36 Self Help Group members at Sivanthipatti village. With the help of the project staff the team intermingled with the members.

The team visited K. R. Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Reddiyarpetti on 25th February 2009. The peer educators and peer group members explained them about their HIV/AIDS awareness activities. 25 peer educators and 25 JRC students attended the interactive session.

There was a get together with 5 people living with HIV/AIDS and 45 peer educators from colleges which was organized at Red Cross Office. The interactive session with PLWHAs was very effective for the team and they were able to understand the difficulties and subsequent challenges faced by them in the community. A blood donation camp was also organized at Red Cross Hall in which 20 persons voluntarily donated blood.   Hon. District Secretary Mr. D.A. Prabakar and the YPEP Project staff assisted the team to interact with the students and the people.