Yan Zhu
Yan Zhu has been deeply touched by the prejudice and intolerance faced by sex workers and HIV/AIDS orphans in China. For several years, she has worked as a volunteer with the China Family Planning Association (CFPA), where she educates sex workers and provides care and support to children in HIV/AIDS stricken rural communities. She is particularly passionate about securing high quality education for HIV/AIDS-affected children.
“Sex is a taboo subject in Chinese tradition, let alone sexual promiscuity”, Yan says. “Without knowledge about sex, it is easy for young people to make an abrupt and irresponsible sexual decision and these high-risk actions cannot be controlled effectively”.
Yan hopes to use her experience at Oxfam IYP2004 to educate youths to make responsible sexual decisions and to enhance their compassion for sex workers and HIV/AIDS-affected individuals.
