Susannah Farr is doing her part to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa, not just by increasing awareness but by working to change the mindset of African teens.

Ms Farr, guest speaker at the Hamilton Rotary Club earlier this week, is the founder and educational director of the GOLD Peer Education Development Agency, a group that works to educate young Africans in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.

"This is not a quick fix," said Ms Farr, who is visiting the Island on her way to the States to promote her organisation. "It may take decades in some areas. We need to be looking at the root of the issue, not just putting Band-Aids on the problems."

According to Ms Farr, 32 percent of all new AIDS infections worldwide occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with 32 percent of pregnant women in Botswana infected with the virus. Without proper care, the chance of the disease being passed down from the mother is around 70 percent.

"Nine percent of children have lost at least one parent," said Ms Farr. "In the next three years, we expect to see this number increasing. How can we not do everything to fight this war?"

Ms Farr herself is in the process of adopting Karabo, a young girl who has been orphaned by AIDS.

By educating African youth, and encouraging them to become community leaders, Ms Farr hopes to prevent the spread of the disease, as well as encourage those already infected to seek treatment.

"Once you have the right information, you can act on it," said Ms Farr. "We have several stories of young people whose lives have been changed. We've heard from the clinics that more young people are using the services. They're getting treatment. When one does not have the education, they do not have access to the drugs."

Despite the scale of the epidemic, Ms. Farr says her message is one of hope.

"It's encouraging to see when young people are given the opportunity that they can rise to the occasion," she said.