EVA Wins Three Awards During Nigerian 5^th National Conference on HIV and AIDS alongside UNFPA, NACA, and BBCWST....

As part of the activities for the Nigerian 5^th National Conference on HIV and AIDS, the National Youth Network on HIV and AIDS (NYNETHA), the coordinating coalition of youth-focused and youth-led organizations working on HIV and AIDS issues in Nigeria, recognized the contributions of various organizations towards the national AIDS response, specifically focused on young people and youth.  The award ceremony took place on May 1^st 2010 as part of the pre-conference events and focused on acknowledging the efforts of local and international organizations working on youth HIV and AIDS issues.  Education as a Vaccine (EVA) was nominated for and won three of the ten awards granted that evening along side other awardees such as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), BBC World Service Trust (BBCWST) and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).  As an organization, EVA was awarded “Most outstanding Youth-Led Organization in the HIV and AIDS Response 2009” and “Most Committed Indigenous Organization to the Issues of Young People in the Fight Against HIV and AIDS”.  EVAs’ mobile phones project, My Question and Answer, won the award for “Most Outstanding Youth Initiative to Combat HIV and AIDS”.   Beyond these three awards acknowledging EVA direct contributions to the national AIDS response, EVA was also affiliated with two other awards granted that evening.  The WINROCK AIDS Impact Mitigation (AIM) project, which EVA is one of the implementing partners and coordinates implementation of the project in Benue and Cross River State, was recognized for “Outstanding Commitment in Mitigating the Impact of HIV/AIDS at the Grassroots for 2009”.  Leaders with New Dimension (LEND), an upcoming youth-led organization which EVA serves as its fiscal agent and provides technical support, was awarded “Most Outstanding Organization Responding to the HIV/AIDS Needs of Young Person’s with Disabilities”.   The awards couldn’t have come a better time, as EVA celebrated its 10^th year anniversary a few days before the ceremony.  As part of the acceptance speech the Executive Director said “Young people should never loose sight of their goal… Ten years ago, I started this organization immediately after graduating from University.  Things were not always easy, but with the support of the Board members and staff, we have been able to ensure that the organization has grown to this stage.  Young people, do not let your age get in the way of your dream…..”  She also acknowledged the contributions of One World, UK and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (partners on the My Question and Answer project) for making the project successful.