AID Duke is supporting a project initiated by Muthamil Education and Rural Development Society (MERDS), a non-profit organization based in Dindigul, TN. This project uses street theater, music and folk art to disseminate information about health issues..

A 2-day HIV awareness training was provided to a core cultural troupe of 20 members, MERDS staff, village heads, 65 volunteers and health workers who set up 5 counseling centers for villagers. They staged cultural performances, followed by a survey and group discussion to identify high-risk individuals. Referral services were provided for individuals with HIV. Volunteers conducted an HIV-AIDS awareness campaign in village schools as well.

In the first phase of this program, over 100 villages have benefited, 600 people attended counseling and 40 HIV patients identified from screening 216 high-risk individuals.