Last week, while Puerto Vallarta was host to thousands of visitors for Semana Santa, or Easter Week, the local non-profit Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. (Vallarta Confronts AIDS, in English) was busy spreading the word about HIV.

Beginning on Thursday, a group of Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA (VES) employees and volunteers visited with individuals, couples, and families on Los Muertos Beach, distributing condoms and safer-sex materials, informational flyers, and talking about HIV and AIDS. The effort was supported by the local HIV clinic, known as CAPASITS (for it’s acronym in Spanish), as well as by COMUSIDA and the Jalisco State Advisory Board on HIV/AIDS, known as COESIDA.

COMUSIDA, the municipal agency for HIV, and the CAPASITS clinic provided staff to help with the outreach project. COESIDA provided condoms, as well as Frisbees and baseball caps with HIV messages printed on them. VES is an active member of the COESIDA advisory board.

Approximately 15 volunteers, dressed in white VES t-shirts and plenty of sunscreen distributed 4,500 informational flayers, 3,000 free condoms, and over 2,000 promotional items, working the entire length of Los Muertos Beach on both Thursday March 20 and Friday March 21.

On Saturday night, 11 VES volunteers hit the Vallarta club scene. Beginning at the SKY Club, where party promoters Will Gorges and Gilles Belanger presented the “Fashionista Party”, and proceeding to Angels (formerly Sr. Frog’s), Club Paco Paco, and Stereo Bar, the VES team distributed 2,000 informational flayers, 2,000 condoms, and other promotional items.

Paco Arjona, Executive Director and organizer of the weekend events, commented that “Semana Santa offers us a unique opportunity to reach thousands of people with our message of sexual health, HIV protection, the importance of getting tested for HIV infection, and where to go for information, treatment, and a range of social services that are available at no cost. This week, I believe we saved lives with this project.” He added that he is very grateful for the support of the agencies that assisted in the effort.

For additional information, please call Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. at 322-223-0535; or the CAPASITS Clinic at 322-299-4715. Or visit the VES website at www.vallartaenfrentasida.org. Volunteer opportunities are available, as well as assistance and referrals for health and social services.