AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS Live Concert attracts over 3,000

 
The BaliSpirit Festival’s FREE concert on Sunday, February
13th attracted an unprecedented crowd of over 3,000 to Ubud’s soccer field to kick off the 2011. AYO! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS campaign. The concert, the first ever of its kind in the soccer field, was headlined by KIS Band, originally from Ubud, and supported by African reggae sensation, Afro-Moses, as well as other well known local music performers, was hailed as a complete success by Balinese and international attendee’s alike. Download full Press release here.

Dim lights

Dim lights

"One of the most important aspects of the BaliSpirit Festival is our intention to inspire others to give back to their communities and mother earth”

Community education on HIV/AIDS is a major challenge around the world and even more of an obstacle in very traditional communities like Bali, where even talk about sex is not encouraged. The BaliSpirit Festival Outreach Program directive and motto “Ayo Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS” is an ongoing educational campaign with the local community to talk openly, ask questions, and discuss accurate information.

Background: According to KPA Bali (The Commission of AIDS Prevention of Bali); with a population of 3,409,845, there are approximately 3.390 Balinese people that have been infected with HIV or are living with AIDS. Seventy percent of them are male, and 30% are female.  Over half of the infected Balinese population are men and women of reproductive age between 15 and 29 years old.

Objective: To raise awareness among Balinese women, youth, and their families about the reality of HIV & AIDS. Start honest discussions about the virus and its impact on the community.

Targeted: Youth, women, and their extended families regarding the reality of HIV & AIDS, and how it can and does affect them.  Mostly in three regions of Bali with an increasingly high rate of HIV & AIDS: Denpasar, Gianyar, and Buleleng.

Focus: To create and manage a “unique communications program” to inform, raise awareness, and promote understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic within local communities.

***A percentage of proceeds from the 2011 BaliSpirit Festival goes toward the ongoing support of this program.