Doutzen Kroes launches dance4life USA!

19.09.2011

During her visit, the dance4life ambassador visited a school in Philadelphia. She also spoke to various young people about the problems that they face in their daily lives. 

Doutzen Kroes visited the Bartram High School, a school where dance4life is active, and participated in a workshop by the dance4life tour team. The Bartram High School is in a deprived area of Philadelphia, where HIV and AIDS is a big problem. 

 

Doutzen:"Despite it being a western country, there is still a lot of taboo surrounding HIV and AIDS, and it's difficult to talk about sex. I've now been able to see with my own eyes that dance4life in the USA is badly needed."  

Problems. 

40% of Philadelphia citizens live beneath the poverty line. Through poverty, young people in deprived areas encounter drugs and prostitution and have a higher chance of becoming infected with HIV. In recent years Philadelphia has suffered cut backs in the areas of education, heath and HIV prevention. This has led to a lack of correct information and access to healthcare. The HIV infection rate is therefore rising, particularly amongst young people. Through the school programme, dance4life is ensuring that young people recieve the correct information about sex, HIV and AIDS. 

Doutzen:"Everyone is always talking about HIV and AIDS in Africa, but few people realise that the problem of HIV in America is so huge. Every 10 minutes, someone is infected with the virus..."