The first step is to reach the people in the countryside. Though the government is making great strides to educate, there are a great many people who do not know what the threat is, and the remedies available. This is what can be encountered in the whole of the developing world.

In the Kayunga district of Uganda in May 2007, a pilot meeting was observed by Dr Kibirige and two lay Rotarians from the UK and France. The meeting was convened on the front garden of the village elder, a Muslim among a mixed community. Over a period of seven hours a group of some ninety people assembled and two of the teams members 'sensitised' - explained what the purpose of the meeting was and then counselled and tested.

At first the villagers, mainly women, were sceptical - What was the point of having treatment if they already had HIV? How much would treatment cost? How would they get to the treatment? When it was explained that the testing for HIV was free; that the team would bring medicine to them and that infected mothers and their children would have treatment so that they would be born free of HIV, all ninety people came forward for private counselling and testing - a response beyond the expectations of the team. An outstanding result!

There is a great opportunity to deal a blow to HIV among newly born children, by using the drugs that the developed world use, but without the benefit of C section treatment. Traditional birth attendants will be present at the births in the countryside. The people need to find out the information and be treated and the only way is to use outreach methods, as the rural community does not have transport or money to get to the government clinics which are in the towns and villages. The co-operation of the District councillors and health officials has been given; the UNICEF officials in Uganda have given their backing; medicines have been given by the research organisation in Uganda; local Rotary Clubs in Uganda are enthusiastic at organising overseeing and helping the project.

An outline of the Pilot Programme is show in the below graphic: