Lend a helping hand for AIDS

AIDS awareness is everywhere today. From the GAP's RED Campaign to news features about the epidemic, to numerous schools and conferences around the globe. And South Africa's Project Masiluleke, or Zulu for "lending a helping hand" and "give wise counsel," reads much the same way. Born out of a speech HIV campaigner Zinhle "Zinny" Thabethe gave at the 10th anniversary of Pop! Tech, an annual conference about science and technology can further future ideas, this project seeks to use mobile cell phone technology to remind South African's of AIDS and tuburculosis testing sessions, appointments and information on how to get help.

By sending text messages to the population and bringing together a coalition of partners, which includes Nokia Siemens and National Geographic, Project Masiluleke is creating an interdisciplinary system that relies on mobile technology. It's the project's hope that the constant encouragement to at least test for the diseases and easy to learn treatment options will help slow down the so far, quick spread of the viruses.

Since South Africa has the most AIDS affected citizens at more than 40 percent, it only made sense for the project to begin here