Every non-governmental organisation knows how important volunteers are to its work. VoluntARAS members, mostly high school and university students, do much more than a simple pastime. All volunteering involves personal growth, simply through commitment to a cause one believes in, taking a stand against injustice and trying to bring positive change to society.

What ARAS volunteers do

At ARAS, the main activity carried out by volunteers takes place in high schools, where they hold sexual health information and education sessions. We partner with various high schools, where a volunteering session lasts three hours: HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and a final hour on preventing these diseases.

Now you can see why we work mainly with young volunteers: we do peer education. Classroom discussions are open, and students feel safe talking to someone close to their own age.

Volunteers' activity is not limited to information sessions in high schools. Candlelight Memorial Day (an international day to commemorate people with HIV who have died) and ONG FEST (an event dedicated to NGOs) are occasions volunteers use to talk to people about the Association and HIV.

Testing and information campaigns, carried out both by ARAS staff and by volunteers, are always a success for the association.

A few words about the recruitment process

Two volunteer recruitment sessions are held each year. Volunteers go through an interview, training and an exam, so that when it comes to the Association's causes they are prepared to answer any question.