Mozambique
In 2007 a group of artists and activists came together to create an association with the aim of using music in a truly participatory way for HIV/AIDS campaigns and awareness raising.
‘Positivo Mozambique’ organize music workshops for young people in schools where they get to know the students and their perspectives around the subjects of sexual and reproductive health through music and discussions. The Positivo team then carry out song writing workshops on the issues which have been discussed. They spend time rehearsing the songs for a large public performance for the local community and then record the song with the students so they can play it and feel proud of it long after the workshop has ended. The songs often end up on local radio and many have become popular nationally.
Fundamentally Positivo encourage young Mozambicans to sing and embrace the solutions to their problems through music. They help young local leaders to emerge from their communities and become artists and HIV-AIDS activists. They believe that if you want to change behaviour within a certain social group, you must engage them in dialogue and listen to them; Mozambicans have the solutions to their problems, and we can help to amplify their messages through music.