OWB volunteer Florent Bopey is providing invaluable help as an events coordinator, organizing his own festival in Kinshasa, DRC. A microcredit expert in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he hopes to use the arts to address HIV/AIDS and poverty.

The festival will feature groups such as the Association RAINBOW UMUCO, a famous mostly youth theater troupe whose plays about HIV/AIDS can be seen on Burundi TV each Sunday and are watched by more than 60% of Bujumbura citizens.

The Association CLUB DU LAC AUX OISEAUX is a group of women who use folk traditions in their work. It is composed mainly of businesswomen, government workers and students; their shows are about marriage, births and ceremonies celebrating pivotal aspects of life. This group is also on Burundi TV each Sunday.

There are a number of faith-based groups, both Christian and Muslim—including the Fondation BARAKA, the Association d'Encadrement d'Enfants Orphelins et Veuves du SIDA (AEEOVSIDA)—who will be participating with songs and dramas, some related to religious beliefs.

The Association UGEAFI-UVIRA addresses peaceable cohabitation in Uvira Zone (DRC) and the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, two pressing issues in this region where conflict has been prevalent.

The Association OFED-UVIRA (Organisation Femmes-Enfants pour le Développement), a development organization helping women and specializing in the reintegration of child soldiers into everyday life, will sing anti-HIV/AIDS songs.

The Association ELIMU-UVIRA focuses on children's education, as does the Association FAJ, and includes a number of artists and musicians who will be helpful during different activities in this festival.

The Association CEP, which runs a primary school for orphans and children in poverty, will do a sketch about HIV/AIDS. The Association FESIBU (Fonds d'Entraide et de Solidarité Islamique du Burundi) is a Muslim organization which, like OWB, is a witness to multiculturalism. Its group, LE MESSAGER, will sing traditional Muslim songs known as TAARABU songs.

SWAA-BURUNDI (Society for Women and AIDS in Africa) is a regional association addressing HIV/AIDS. Its attendance is most important because of its long history of mobilization and education activities.

The ANSS (Association Nationale des Soutien au Séropositifs et Sidéens) is the oldest and most well-known in Burundi addressing HIV/AIDS. APECOS (Association pour la Prise en Charge des Orphelins du SIDA), which cares for orphans and those who are HIV+, will also participate.

The CENTRE JEUNES BUTERERE addresses youth issues. Its musicians will be present at the opening ceremonies of the festival.

The CENTRE JEUNES KAMENGE is the biggest youth center in Burundi, and its activities include music, painting, reading, sports and social help. This Center has played an important role during Burundi's ethnic conflicts, and its presence will be one of the most helpful because of its youth talents in all fields.

TOUS LES MUSICIENS DU NORD DE BUJUMBURA are individual singers who will do shows especially related to youth, as will the CLUB LES MESSAGERES, composed of students and teachers who do theatrical shows with an HIV/AIDS education theme.

The ADDENOV/SIDA (Association Pour la Defense de Droits des Enfants Orphelins et Victimes du SIDA), addressing the rights of children and those with HIV/AIDS, will feature both music and plays from its well-developed repertoire.

The Association ACDP (Association Congolaise des Droits de la Personne), addressing the rights of those who are HIV+ in the E. Congo, will feature its famous singers.

AJESPISIDA (Association des Jeunes pour le Soutien de la Position Islamique contre le VIH/SIDA), a youth organization located in the largest Muslim area (Buyenzi) of Bujumbura, will have a show featuring traditional singers addressing both HIV/AIDS and religious beliefs.

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