Bhanu pratap (name changed), 36, is a lorry driver. He works for a cargo company. He travels along the route of Baharagora to Bhubeneswar. He is married and has one son and a daughter. Few months back he had unprotected sex with mobile prostitute on route to Bhubneswar. Few days later he started feeling burning sensation while urinating. He did not pay heed to it. As the problem persisted he contacted his friend Sonulal (name changed). The latter works as an A.I.D. Peer Educator. Sonulal advised him to visit A.I.D. doctor. Bhanu was diagnosed of STD. He was advised to contact Baharagora PHC for further treatment.
This is not an isolated incident. Such cases are happening and people are still not aware. Even talking about such disease is considered social and cultural taboo.

Balbir Singh (name changed) is 40 years old truck driver. He is married and has two sons. He belongs to Chaibasa. It is in West Singbhum district of Jharkhand. He plies truck between Chaibasa and Haldia port (W.B). This area is famous for iron ore mines. Hundred of trucks run along this route. Most of the time he is away from home. There are many brothels along the route to Haldia. Haldia has become center for sex workers in recent times due to setting up of a port. Balbir came in contact with C.S.W. (casual sex worker) at Haldia. He had several unprotected sex with them. He got infected with STD (sexual transmitted disease). His wife also got infection from him.
Once he came in contact with A.I.D. worker. Knowing the problem Balbir was advised for proper treatment along with his partner. He was demonstrated and advised about the proper use of condom. Today he is getting partner treatment from government hospital. He is practicing safer sex through use of condom. Moreover, he is advising other drivers in his route about safe sex. .
He has shown keen interest to work for A.I.D. as a peer educator.

Konika (name changed) lives in Bahragora. She belongs to a remote village in Midnapore  in West Bengal. She is the youngest among the 3 siblings. She comes from a poor family. She was deserted by her alcoholic father. She was denied education. With no source of income she was forced to work as an agricultural labourer. Her mother was already into prostitution .She forced Konika into the same trade at an age of 13. She was sold for mere Rs.1000/- to a truck driver. Her meager income helped to educate her brothers and run the family expense. She had no alternatives except prostitution. Her clients are mostly truck drivers and local youths. The use of condom is rare. It often leads to unwanted pregnancy and STI. Today, she is 17 years of age and caters 7 to 8 clients daily. She often falls sick and is very weak. A vicious circle is thus established. Her own family that she supported has shunned her. Her dreams remain an unfulfilled promise. She couldn’t be persuaded by A.I.D. health workers to join a nearby school, as her “Malkin”(madam of the brothel) didn’t allow her. However she does not have sex with out condom.

Dhabha of Kesav (name changed)  is in Bhatchatar. It is a dusty roadside village located in Bisoi block of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa. Poorly lit outlet attracts customers seeking for some pleasure. It is a means to overcome pain of mental and physical overburden. Tired of long driving, truckers find bodily solace at this stop. Kesav’s main income is from the commission he gets from Sex Workers (SW) who frequents his outlet. At the same time his food sale also increases. On an average, about 3 to 4 sex workers temporarily stay at his joint. He acts as a pimp for them. It is reported that middle-aged truckers are the frequent clients to sex workers.
A.I.D. workers frequently visit dhabhas along this route to conduct awareness programme for safe sex and prevention of STD. Due to intervention of A.I.D. no sexual intercourse takes place without condom at the dhabha of Keshav. Sex workers insist on condom inspite of enticing them with more money. A room with mud floor, littered with empty packets of condoms justifies his statements. Moreover sex workers check the sexual organ of clients before indulging into sexual pleasure. They make sure that a person is not infected with any sexual disease.

Sukausal (name changed) is 12 years old boy. He belongs to Khasi community .He lives in a village near the national Highway33. Most of the villagers are migrant workers. They go to Orissa and West Bengal to work in brick kiln. Sukausal is a school drop out. His parents are poor agricultural labourers. Once he had unprotected sex with 18 years old married woman. She was a migrant labourer. After few days of unsafe sexual relationship she left to work at brick kiln in West Bengal. Sukausal was infected by a disease. Later, a video show was organized in the village by AID team. The purpose was to conduct AIDS awareness programme. Sukausal was also present at the show. After the programme he contacted AID worker and narrated his problem. He was referred to PHC (public health center). He was diagnosed of S.T.I. (sexual transmitted disease). He is under medical treatment and is almost cured. Now he works for AID as a peer educator.

Raju  (name changed) is 22 years old construction worker. For the last two years, he had build sexual relationship with many women workers. Most of them were migrant workers. Raju had no knowledge of HIV/ STD. He practiced unprotected sex with his women partners. He suffered from STD. Due to lack of proper guidance he could not get medical treatment. Once he came in contact with the A.I.D. worker. He was advised to participate in one of the A.I.D. programme. After knowing the history of Raju, A.I.D. worker advised him to contact PHC for proper treatment.
As a result of advocacy by A.I.D. worker, Raju is getting free medicines and counseling from PHC. Now, he is on the path of recovery. He is not doing sex without condom. Influenced by AID worker and his bitter experience, he is creating awareness about HIV/AIDS among laborers in his village.

Ashok  (name changed) is 29 years old truck driver. He is unmarried. He belongs to the state of Haryana. He plies between Jamshedpur and Kolkatta for the last 9 years. Several brothels are located along Highway between Jamshedpur and Kolkata. He is a regular client to many of such brothels. He had unprotected sex with many sex workers who are active along this route. For the last six months he is suffering from STI (sexual track infection). He got himself treated from village doctor. No improvement was seen in his health.
A.I.D. team was once conducting group meeting in one of the dhabhas in NH 33. Ashok who was taking rest at the same place came in touch with A.I.D. workers. He narrated his problem to the worker. He was advised to use condom while having sex He was referred to the local P.H.C. and undergo V.C.C.T.C. Today Ashok has become free from such sexual disease. He is teaching other truckers along the route to play safe by making use of condoms.