Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - August 24, 2005
Arzu Ozsoy in Izmir
Universiade is the world's second largest sports event after the Olympic Games, arranged by the International University Sports Federation every two years in different countries. The Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay), is mainly focusing on HIV/AIDS youth action this year with the Come closer...campaign, and used this opportunity to reach youth from all parts of the world to raise their level of HIV/AIDS awareness and knowledge.
The global Come closer...campaign, of the Federation calls for a closer collaboration with people living with HIV/AIDS. Materials for the campaign, a collaboration project between the International Federation, Turkish Red Crescent Society and Saatchi & Saatchi Turkey, address the most common myths in a fun and colourful way. The campaign aims to have a positive impact on the values, beliefs and attitudes that fuel stigma.
This year the 23rd Summer Universiade took place in Izmir, a western city in Turkey, between the 11th and 21st of August. It reached a record level of participation, as more than 7,000 athletes from 130 countries around the world turning it into the biggest university games ever. Thousands of youngsters came from Turkey and other countries to watch the games.
Eight dynamic HIV/AIDS volunteers, all medical students in their early twenties, came from Ankara to Izmir to support Kizilay's information dissemination activities.
Emrah Seyhoglu (20), a medical student in Hacettepe University, was one of the volunteers. A very energetic Kizilay HIV/AIDS volunteer, his interest in volunteerism comes from his family. His father is a regular blood donor of Kizilay who has even received a silver medal from Kizilay for his 25th donation.
During the event, Emrah's days started pretty early, helping Kizilay staff setting up the information tent. Having prepared the boots and the materials to be distributed, he then reviewed the daily programme find the time and location of the games. Leaving the tent, he would wait at the main entrance of the stadiums or sports centres to distribute HIV/AIDS information. Emrah says he enjoys chatting with people rather than just giving the brochures out, and before talking about the HIV/AIDS activities of Kizilay he chitchatted about the games. Then, he handed over a set of HIV/AIDS brochures, postcards and bookmarks with a smile.
Emrah's first experience with Kizilay was at Bolu youth camp last year, where he received a one-day training on HIV/AIDS. Being a medical student with a trainer's certificate on reproductive health, he decided to join the Kizilay HIV/AIDS peer-educators group and work at youth camps.
When he talks about the trainings at these camps his enthusiasm can be read from his voice. "It is such a great feeling to share all my knowledge with the others," he says. "Especially when they ask questions, showing that they are interested in learning. I really like training activities, especially at youth camps."
Elcin Tasci (21) is another dynamic volunteer. She attended a Kizilay youth camp six years ago. "I received great services from Kizilay," she says. "Now I feel that it is my turn to give it back as a volunteer."
She started volunteering for Kizilay's blood donor recruitment programme at a social club of her university. Then she joined the biology group of her university for Kizilay HIV/AIDS peer-education activities.
When youngsters stopped by the Kizilay tent during the Universiade, she encouraged them in a friendly way to pay more attention to the HIV/AIDS materials, saying: "Come closer! You can learn more if you like!"
With the world youth coming closer to HIV/AIDS issues, the Kizilay volunteers are already the champions of the summer games, and they continue running with their good will and great enthusiasm in their HIV/AIDS dissemination work.
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