Safe2Live© Mobile Puppet Theater.

PY1 realizes that when we protect our children, we also protect the future of our communities and nation.

According to CDC’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS), many young people begin having sexual intercourse at early ages: 47% of high school students have had sexual intercourse, and 7.4% of them reported first sexual intercourse before age 13. The CDC further urges that HIV/AIDS education needs to take place at correspondingly young ages, before young people engage in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection.

In 2009, PY1's HIV/AIDS Educational and Entertainment Program launched its HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C (HCV) Awareness and Prevention initiatives focusing on youth ages 8-13 in Baltimore City as a pilot before becoming Regional and Nationwide.
It's strategic Educational and Entertainment Program, EEP3 Project, presents the Safe2Live© Mobile Puppet Theater.

 PY1's Safe2Live© team produced the Safe2Live© Mobile Puppet Theater (MPT) funded by The Annie E. Casey Foundation / Associated Black Charities, and Procter & Gamble (P&G).
 
The Safe2Live© Mobile Puppet Theater construction includes: staging, backdrops, a banner with sponsors’ logo, curtains and chairs for the 3 performers and 6 character puppets which are gender and ethnically balanced. The writing of the script and the educational materials, such as word search games, puzzles,       T-Shirts were created as well as the recorded puppet voices and a hip hop soundtrack.  PY1 has developed before and after surveys, and evaluation forms to measure impact and success of the “live” MPT presentations.

The Mobile Puppet Theater presentation deals with a boy named Devin who arrives at a new school for his first day. Devin discovers new friendships and how every day experiences relate to HIV/AIDS and HCV.

To enhance the Mobile Puppet Theater effectiveness, PY1 produced the Safe2Live© Live Show that brings to the stage the dynamic performances of a rapper and dancers. During the latter part of the 2008-2009 school year a total of 6 Mobile Puppet Theater (MPT) performances were held in Baltimore City’s schools and after/school summer programs in high-risk areas reaching a total of 301 children ranging in ages from 8-13.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene / AIDS Administration’s Community Review Panel has approved Safe2Live©’s educational materials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved the Safe2Live© Campaign. PY1’s Safe2Live© Campaign is supported by its partners:  the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) and the National Center for Health Behavioral Change (NCHBC).

The more children made aware of safe choices can help reduce incidents of HIV/AIDS and HCV in our communities. And, subsequently, improve the quality of life in our communities.

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Safe2live© Mobile Puppet Theater is available for presentations at your school, after school and summer school programs.