Meeting Millennium Development Goals
through local languages
Eight goals were adopted by 189 United Nations member states to be achieved by 2015.
SIL views local language development as essential to achieve these goals.
Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
People in ethnolinguistic communities are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases due in part to the lack of essential information in the mother tongue. Reading materials in local languages that discuss hygiene, nutrition,and the prevention and treatment of diseases have proven to be effective in improving general health and life expectancy. The availability of culturally-relevant information dispels misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Related stories
- "This is one of the best stories in Bafut!"
- "HIV/AIDS was speaking my mother tongue"
- Informational DVD Dramatizes HIV/AIDS