In some instances where traditional lectures aren’t enough to make the audience visualize a situation as if it is the real deal, the speaker must give them a chance to feel how certain things affect one’s emotions. HIV to some is a scary acronym for something that cannot be explained unless experienced on a first hand basis. This is the reason why PAFPI utilize an exercise to make participants in a lecture feel the emotional impact of either being infected or affected by HIV. In most cases, both sides are always considered with utmost importance in an activity called: ‘Wildfire Exercises.’ Similar to a role playing game or activity, this is where the speaker educates the audience by making them imagine and feel the psychological and emotional impact of HIV.
Grade 11 students from Dominic Institute of Science and Technology in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan were lucky enough to experience this kind of activity on July 12, 2019. Moses Ayuha, a long time volunteer of PAFPI, facilitated the lecture and shared some of his experiences in dealing with HIV and AIDS. This kind of exercise lets the audience go through a process that starts from HIV testing and infection and ends with most important effect of this virus to humanity – the emotional and psychological impact it has on our self and the people we love. To be able to really help people who are living with HIV, the organization always considers the role of affected families and significant others in building a sustainable support system.