Some 60 young people met with Russian Orthodox priests and project activists at a youth forum held in Orenburg and St. Petersburg on Candlelight Memorial day to remember people who are living with HIV and AIDS and who have died as a result of contracting the virus.

Russia has one of the highest epidemic growth rates in the world with some 23,000 people estimated to have contracted the virus in 2007 alone.

Official statistics talk of 407,508 registered cases of HIV infection, but according to the World Health Organisation the real figure of people living with HIV in Russia may be as high as 1.5 million people.

Young people aged between 15 and 29 are especially at risk, constituting 80% of cases.

The boys and girls that took part in the forum are just a few of the most active young people involved in a unique HIV prevention programme called 'Channeling Hope', implemented by World Vision in the Urals and St. Petersburg regions with the support of USAID.

The program targets hundreds of young people at risk of HIV infection and takes an innovative approach of involving the Russian Orthodox Church and the work carried out by priests with at-risk youth.

Father Maxim Pletnev from St. Petersburg diocese has been working with World Vision since the introduction of Abstinence and Risk avoidance for youth (ARK) methodology, which World Vision has been using to reach young people.

'One of the reasons I started working with World Vision is because it is a Christian organisation. There are many HIV prevention programmes in Russia targeting young people, but very few help young people develop moral standards. The uniqueness of the approach World Vision has is that its programme is based on promoting abstinence, faithfulness to your partner and chastity', said Father Maxim.

'I can see that this is not just a formal approach. This is good work,' he added.

Many of the young people World Vision is reaching through this programme come from low-income families or are being raised by single mothers or without both parents. Some may have run into trouble with the law or have a history of alcohol abuse in the family.

Irina Tudvaseva, a trainer and teacher at the school has been working with troubled and vulnerable children for many years: 'We start our discussions with talking about family, about love and friendship. 'Chastity' - children often have never even heard the word,' explained Tudvaseva.

'These young people often do not have a father figure or a male role model in their lives. They especially like meetings with the father (priest). It really means a lot to them when he takes an interest and starts answering their questions,' she added.

The advantage of ARK methodology is that it doesn't only talk about HIV but aims to develop life and communication skills in young people, and covers spiritual and moral aspects.

Tanya (16) is attending training at the school where she is a student. Her life is similar to the lives of many young people World Vision is working with: 'I liked the training and the discussions we had with the priest', she said. 'We asked quite frank questions and we received answers.'

'Channeling Hope' will be launched in Penza region south – east of Moscow in August 2008.

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