Interview with Jana Singh: Winner of ‘Watch Us Stop AIDS’ video contest

A contest hosted by The AIDS Committee of London

MYM: Why did you want to get involved with the Watch Us Stop AIDS video contest?

Jana: I thought that it would be interesting to make a video to promote awareness for an important cause such as AIDS awareness.

MYM: How do you think youth today can promote an understanding of AIDS/HIV?

Jana: I think that talking about it is a good place to start, as well as educating themselves and asking good questions.

MYM: Do you personally know anyone with AIDS/HIV? (don't mention any names, just if it has personally touched your life)

Jana: No

MYM: Do you think stigma still exists towards those that have AIDS/HIV?

Jana: I don't think that it's as bad now as it was 20 years ago, but I definitely believe that some stigma still exists towards those with AIDS/HIV because people aren't equally educated about the disease.

MYM: What do you think about the incorrect facts that 50% to 60% of Canadian high school students think there is a vaccine available to prevent HIV/AIDS and 36% of grade 11 students think that there is a cure?

Jana: I think that my peers being THAT uneducated about AIDS/HIV is a frightening concept. I think if there are that many young people out there who believe these untrue facts we need to do something about it and educate students so they know the real facts about HIV/AIDS and can protect themselves

MYM: Tell us about your video, what was your motivation behind it?

Jana: I thought it would be cool and more powerful to use an everyday situation that many teens could relate to, like texting in class, with a life-altering situation that no one ever really thinks could happen to them, which would be thinking that you had AIDS. I wanted to show that it really can happen to anyone, which is why I used my friends.

MYM: If there was one thing you would like to tell your peers about AIDS/HIV what would it be?

Jana: I would emphasize to them that there is no cure and the only real way to prevent it is by being safe, because it really can happen to anyone.