Every time someone tests for HIV/AIDS faces the possibility of obtaining a positive result. At first this generates stress and fear and then a feeling of relief and happiness when they see it’s “negative”. This process creates a unique and responsiveness approach towards the issue. We thought it would be helpful to take advantage of that happiness and place those people in the shoes of someone with HIV.

Therefore we placed a sound chip in all the negative tests during November (as used in Christmas cards). When people opened the envelope and learned that they had tested negative, the voice of a person with HIV surprised them with his/her story and encouraged them to transform that good news (not being affected by HIV) in something that could help those who had the virus. People could donate on the spot through a QR printed in the result at the very moment.

We got together with many of the patients, who receive free treatment at Fundación Huésped, and asked them to describe how was their experience at the moment they tested for HIV and learnt that they were affected by the virus. All the testimonies were recorded at a studio and placed in an audio chip. Every chip including the different testimonies were inserted in the negative results of tests performed at Fundación during November. When people opened the envelope and learnt that their result was negative they immediately heard the testimony of someone suffering from HIV who requested help from Fundación Huésped. Within the result a QR code led them to a web site in which they could donate on the spot. We created a video of the action that was launched in a web site on December 1st AIDS’s worldwide day.

The action was a true success: everyone who took part of the action helped in different ways. It had immediate reaction in social networks and was picked up by the main TV networks and radio broadcasters. Offline (Print Media) Media also communicated the action on AID’s worldwide day. In summary we obtained 4.5MM media impressions and 2MM earned media while monthly donations increased by 67%. But, what is most important, we regained the country’s concern related to the fight against HIV and their interest on the activities of Fundación Huésped.