Impact of HIV/AIDS on children in Uganda

I think that perhaps the driving question of this short documentary created by "Plan" and addressed by one of its interviewees is how can communication about HIV/AIDS prevention education be developed between adults and children? What are the hurdles that stand between these two groups in local communities and what can organizations like plan do to facilitate this communication?

As I further examine the video, several documentary film methods are evident, such as the inflection/tone of the translator/reporter's voice as she 'gives voice' to the Ugandan children and adults interviewed, reflecting a sympathetic and borderline pitiful expression that connotes the severity of this social issue. Her inflection is corroborated by the music layered in at particular transitions between scenes, interviews and turning points. But distinctly noticeable is the tone of the adult and many of the children interviewees that required no translation, which is one of resolution that seems to connote a collective statement - we have accepted our losses; we are moving forward; Plan has helped pay for schooling, mosquito netting, and medicine; we are grateful; please support this organization. The difficulty of this analysis is critiquing the film methods without connoting value judgments upon the organization(s) that create these films to gain donations and outside support as well as present material evidence of their efforts to support communities struggling against the AIDS epidemic.

Where I see great potential is providing children and adults with the tools to create their own expressions, network within their own communities in the larger country they call home to re-empower themselves by having a greater role in that process. Below are two examples of performances by children, presumably African. Both are produced by non-profits, connoting that little participation beyond performing the poetry involved the children.