MUMBAI: As part of its ongoing commitment to combat HIV and Aids, MTV Intl has announced that its newly formed global grant making and advocacy organisation, The Staying Alive Foundation, presented its first ever series of grants, called the Staying Alive Awards.
The beneficiaries include 25 young people and four youth-focussed health organisations in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The Staying Alive Awards, totalling $33,500, are being made possible by a contribution from the M•A•C Aids Fund to benefit youths between the ages of 12 and 24, who are engaged in grassroots HIV and Aids prevention efforts. The purpose of the grants is to assist young people in the continuation of their work, to help them strengthen their efforts, and to inspire others to get involved.
MTV vice chairman and Ambassador for Unaids Bill Roedy says, “At MTV, we believe in the power of youth. One person can mobilise thousands to become leaders in building a future free from HIV and Aids. Through The Staying Alive Foundation, we are reaching youth on their terms while assisting in the continuation of their critical HIV and Aids prevention efforts. This marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to help enable youth lead and inspire others in fighting HIV and Aids at the grassroots level.”
One of the award recepients was India's Ajay Jain. The 24 year old volunteers with Gram Bharati Samiti and focusses on HIV and Aids awareness and education, condom promotion, peer education, and diagnosis and treatment of STDs among tribal youth.
The Staying Alive Foundation was formed in January 2005 to encourage young people to take concrete action in protecting themselves and their communities against the multiple threats posed by the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to fight discrimination faced by people of all ages living with HIV and AIDS. The Foundation is an international not-for-profit public charity that operates in affiliation with but separately from MTV Networks International. The Foundation also acts separately from but mirrors the objectives of the company’s award winning HIV and AIDS prevention campaign, Staying Alive.