PAF is one of the four countries world wide that have been recognized for the UNESCO International Literacy Awards this year. PAF’s “Reflect and HIV/AIDS” programme has this year won the UNESCO International King Sejong Literacy Award, recognizing the potential of communities’ literacy in the prevention and treatment of diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. The “Reflect and HIV/AIDS” programme was found to be ‘remarkable for its innovative cultural programmes in the mother tongue languages used to reach rural communities. This Award carries US$20,000, a diploma and a silver medal. PAF is second Zambian Organisation on record to win the International award after PANUKA in 2004.
The King Sejong Literacy Award was created in 1989 through the generosity of the Government of the Republic of Korea. King Sejong initiated the Korean the alphabet.
PAF uses REFLECT, an approach to adult education and social change. REFLECT is an approach to adult learning which fuses the theory of Paulo Freire and the practice of participatory rural appraisal. PAF uses REFLECT methodology in the rural communities for problem identification. REFLECT is therefore conducted in learning groupings called circles. Further, arising out of REFLECT circles one critical issue matched only by a need for education in the list of priorities was that of HIV/AIDS. Invariably they identified HIV/AIDS as one of the critical challenges that need to be addressed. This approach in the program goal has given communities opportunities to be part of providing the solutions to their needs, communities can be empowered in the face HIV/AIDS to understand, share massages of prevention, care and mitigation. REFLECT as a transformation tool has helped the majority of the illiterate communities to begin to face the challenge of improving their livelihoods.
PAF’s “Reflect and HIV/AIDS” programme has reached 10,000 people in Mazabuka district where HIV/AIDS programs have been actively running from 2004 up to date.
For more visit the Unesco Website