Dhangadhi is situated as the far-west side of Nepal. Not only the bad conservative and traditional thoughts, but also there are prevailing major social evils like girl trafficking, Dowry system, Chaupadi, Deuki, traditional healing practices, etc. It is alike evolution of ideas to share something on sexual and reproductive issues. It was great tie for me to share my experiences working on HIV and off course to learn new things from youths. Through the 7 hours workshop at Kailali Multiple Campus we have four major sessions followed by group work and presentations. 22 Participants were from different background like, BPH, MBBS, Staff nurse, Health Assistant, Bachelors in Social work, Bsc. Nursing, and Pharmacy. With lots of ideas from those youths I found there are still negative thoughts regarding HIV; nursing girls over there were having conservative beliefs. Very less feel free even to talk on sexual issues. I must praise for YUWA schedule for rapid rapport building among the participants. We have started the program through interesting mode of introduction followed by 7 hours sessions on different perspectives of HIV. I must say we have T-shirt, launch and tea for motivating the participants. Though, Youth are themselves a source for energy, we practiced different energizers following each sessions. We assessed the youth perspectives on HIV and youth dynamic during first session. Introducing fundaments on HIV, we had a great time for discussion on: Defining turning a tide together, Stigma and discrimination, and what youth can do against HIV. I got different innovative ideas on defining turning a tide. Basically, each 4 groups had well presented based on above topics. All group members had commented on each others presentation. I found youth at Dhangadhi were lacking such an platform for forwarding and updating their knowledge. This is mostly due to lack of affordable modern technologies and knowledge among youths. There was lack in presentation skill as well. Apart from program participants at Kathmandu, participants at Dhagadhi were much back in exploring and exposing their ideas and skills. It was sad to hear that most youths hadn’t perform such form of presentation in front of mass of minds.

After a well sharing through group work we had a great time with documentary screening on HIV. Two short movies were screened through program, which was really appreciated by the participants. Actually, documentary screening is the means for striking the real emotions in real minds. I had presented a while about the AIDS 2012 conference and its theme, “Turning a tide together”. Participants loved this idea of presentation through images from conference defining turning a tide together. I had also presented a practical based lobbying tips. As a final session we had an Advocacy and social media. That was quite interesting and practical according to youth to youth suggestions; comments. We presented how YUWA with innovative ideas performing an advocacy on HIV. We had ended this program through evaluation of the sessions. That comes true; YUWA’s programs are unique and different than others’. Actually, we have energy and rapid rapport building as a major tool that stands against every conventional ways of getting the things done. With lots of suggestions through this “Reaching out young minds” program, we had captured the moments at Dhangadhi through pictures and videos. Thanks to Dhangadhi youths.

(Author is the member of YUWA who took the job of conducting reaching out young minds in his home district)