What is safe?

Objectives:
· To assess what a group already knows about AIDS. To provide additional information when necessary.

Target Group:
· Students, all levels, community groups.

Group Size:
· 20 to 30 people

Time:
· 10 -15 minutes

Materials:
· Flip-chart paper, colored marking pens (preferably a different color for each group).

Preparation:
· Verbally prepare the group by saying, "You already know how the AIDS virus is spread, don't you? Tell me. Ask "How is it prevented?" Most groups will have the basic answers already.

Directions:
1. Divide participants into groups of about 10 people each.

2. Give each group a large sheet of flip-chart paper and a marker.

3. Tell the participants, "You have one minute to write as many things as you can that are safe."

4. At the end of one minute, each group must pass the paper to the next group.

5. New groups must add to what is already on the list. They may not write anything which is already on the list.

6. Keep passing the lists around until time is up.

Read the lists aloud if you like. Groups can decide if the answers are correct or not or just read for fun. Hang all of the lists on the wall for reading at leisure.

Variation 1:

Safety Relay
· Form two teams of up to 12 people on each team. Team members must form a line, one person behind the other.
· Hang a piece of newsprint on the wall for each team.
· Team members must run to the paper, write one thing that is safe, then run back and hand the pen to the next person.
· The first team to finish wins.

Variation 2:

Large Group Safety Relay
· Make only two groups of 10 people each. The rest of the audience watches or can call out suggestions.
· The teams form as above in variation # 1, running to write on the flip-chart paper.
· Both teams read their answers aloud. The audience decides if they are correct or not.
· The team which finishes first and has no wrong answers wins.

General Variation:

Substitute another message for safety, for instance:
· How can you say "I love you" without having sex?
· What would you tell your friend about how to protect her or himself?
· What are the new messages about AIDS, i.e., social issues?

Give prizes to as many participants as possible. Suggestions:
· Candy stapled to AIDS information cards or brochures.
· AIDS information card or brochure taped to a condom.

By Jo Young, U.S. Peace Corps
Volunteer