Since 1994, Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC), formerly Quaker Services Australia, has been reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and helping Cambodians cope with the epidemic. Training people is its core service. And since inception, more than 10,000 people have received CHEC’s HIV/AIDS training.

Mobilising community resources and supporting people already affected has proven the most sustainable way of dealing with TB/HIV/AIDS and STIs. It is the hallmark of CHEC’s work and it is achieved in partnership with the Provincial Health Department and the National AIDS Office. The organisations work together planning and implementing programs with local communities. CHEC also works with local and international NGOs exchanging information and experience and creating complementary services. 

CHEC programs contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS in Cambodia through long term advocacy and community mobilization. The key approach is to assist the community to link their efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWHA and in the provision of counseling, care and support.

For the first time ever, in 2004 CHEC began working with the national media to raise general awareness among young people about HIV/AIDS. Monthly TV forums, video and drama, and radio talkback are the main parts of the mass media campaign designed to warn young people about HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma and discrimination and discourage unsafe behaviour.

Each month TV campaigns are implemented using communications professionals in order to answer all concerned questions from young people. Professionals from government departments, NGOs, civil society, community workers, and people living with HIV/AIDS discussed HIV/AIDS and other relevant issues on TV.

TV Forums have in the past drawn larger audiences through TV broadcasts including all age groups and combining them with music and HIV/AIDS plays by volunteer groups or reference group, which proves most effective in disseminating the information.

CHEC is the leading advocate for community action against HIV/AIDS, bringing together health centre’s staff and community personnel to work together and to engage the other groups to minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS. It leads, strengthens and supports an expanded response to the epidemic that will prevent the spread of HIV, provide care and support for those infected and affected by the disease, reduce the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS, and alleviate the impact of the epidemic.

The partnership between the community members and the HBC teams assisted in making the project activities reach out to increased numbers of people at minimum cost, as the cost was shared with the target group.

CHEC is on the CoC committee in Kandal province and also member of the Provincial Technical Working Groups of the 5 provinces where CHEC works.