Wellington 18 August 2008. – UNICEF Ambassador Alison Mau brought alive the work UNICEF is doing to combat the HIV-AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea during a recent talk to the Kora Lang Society.

About 60 people attended the lunch talk which was the second to be held by the Kora Lang Society - a group established for people who have made a bequest to support UNICEF NZ's work with children.

Alison visited Papua New Guinea in October last year, where she witnessed firsthand the problems the country is experiencing and how UNICEF-sponsored programmes are bringing hope to women and children with HIV.

Alison - an experienced broadcaster and currently a permanent back-up host on TVNZ's Breakfast programme - noted that Papua New Guinea's 800 languages, diversity of tribal groups, and 6.2 million population spread over a large geographical, mountainous and often remote area all contribute to the countries challenges.

Alison says the number of people living with HIV in Papua New Guinea -- estimated to be 1.3 per cent last year -- is still on the increase. Widespread violence and abuse, including rape, together with a weak health system, high levels of poverty and socio-economic inequity and AID-related stigma all contribute to the high rates of HIV. Risky behaviour and little knowledge about the transmission of the disease have contributed to the rise in HIV transmission. Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable.

Alison talked about the importance of peer educators who are local people trained to spread the safe-sex message.

"They use dance, songs and plays to help get the message to people," she says.

"They are effective because they can cut through the cultural and language barriers to reach young people. Their enthusiasm for the job is absolutely amazing."

Alison also highlighted the work of the UNICEF-supported Maria Kwin Centre. Run by a Catholic nun "deep in the jungle" in the Mt Hagen area, the centre gives respite care to women and children affected by HIV, improves nutrition and teaches women employment skills.

Alison recalled meeting six-year-old Matthew who is HIV-positive. His parents, brother and two sisters all died from HIV-AIDS and he was being cared for by his elderly grandmother. Matthew was receiving antiretroviral drugs from UNICEF which gave him the chance for a future.

Alison says it is important to teach employment skills because women with HIV are typically ostracised by their village, and needed to be able to support themselves and their children.

"I think it's wonderful that New Zealander's care enough about children to give money to help children in PNG. Every dollar and even every 50 cents goes a long way to help in PNG."

UNICEF NZ relies entirely on voluntary donations to support its work in Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world.

Kora Lang Society lunches are made possible through the generous support of Guardian Trust and the Wellington City Council.

More information

To learn more about the Kora Lang Society contact John Daysh ph: 04-496-9610 or email: john@unicef.org.nz

More information about Papua New Guinea can be found in UNICEF's recent report The State of Asia-Pacific's Children 2008.