The ECEWS-RED CROSS Initiative was primarily aimed at creating awareness on the then dreaded HIV/AIDS Pandemic aiming Students and rural dwellers. Over 200 Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State competed on the essay topic: “what I know about HIV/AIDS” as part of the ECEWS RED CROSS Initiative. This was a follow on to the HIV/AIDS help lines project previously implemented by the Initiative. 

Over 350 entries were received and winners identified. This entries formed part of a research which revealed that most rural dwellers were not aware of blood transfusion and sharing of sharp objects as routes of HIV transmission.