Wildfire is a very powerful sensitizing activity that needs to be guided by a skilled and experienced facilitator. Some participants may feel varying degrees of distress at being put in the role of an HIV positive person.

It is essential, therefore, to alert participants right from the start that the exercise is designed to give them an opportunity to experience what it might feel like to discover that one has been exposed to the virus. This is a simulation for learning purposes and in no way implies or suggests anything about peoples’ real lives and HIV status. To permit the discussion of sensitive issues with complete trust, observers are not allowed. Participation by all should be encouraged, not only because of what individuals learn from the activity but also because of how powerful the activity can be in helping to build a sense of intimacy and purpose within the group. Those who do not wish to participate in the exercise should be given the opportunity to leave the room now.

There are several different adaptations of Wildfire. The one presented below is perhaps the simplest. A more complicated version is described in detail in the 1999 Report of the 1st Caribbean HIV and Development Workshop. For example instead of a special type of handshake to represent the transmission of infection, in the Caribbean version participants are given sachets with seeds which they pass on to others. One sachet has seeds of a different color indicating that the seeds are infected with the virus.

Purpose:

To help participants experience intimately the feelings and reactions of a person living with HIV as well as those of others who are not infected. To create awareness of how quickly and covertly the virus spreads and the deep emotional rifts (and bonds) it can create between people.

Time: One hour

Materials:

Cards or small pieces of paper (chits) to be handed out to all participants at the time of getting test results, both for the initial test and the re-test. Half of the chits should read "your test result is positive" and the other half "your test result is negative".

Procedure:

Stage 1:

Ask the participants to stand up and listen carefully to the instructions.

Inform the participants that you will be moving around within the group and shaking the hands of as many of them as possible. While doing this, you will lightly scratch the hand of ONLY ONE participant with your middle finger to indicate that he/she had been exposed to the virus. At this point ensure that no one else can identify who that person is.

Withdraw yourself from the group but ask participants to continue shaking hands among themselves in a normal way. The person whose palm you have scratched should similarly scratch the palm of two other people.

Stage 2:

When three rounds of handshaking have been completed, ask all the participants to form a circle. Then ask all those whose palms were scratched to come forward and form an inner circle. Explain that they have been exposed to the virus. Ask them to describe how they feel under these circumstances. Some examples of the responses might be: "nervous", "lost", or "scared".

Ask them what they would like to do at this point. Suggest to them the possibility of going for a test. What do they need to take into consideration before having the test? Who would they tell the result to and how might they react? How would it feel to be negative? positive? Those who wish to be tested should then be handed a chit of paper that shows either a positive or a negative result.

Now address specifically those who have tested HIV positive. How do you feel about your test results? Responses may include: "alienated", "alone", "discriminated against", "extremely unlucky", "scared", "want to lead a healthy life", "there must be some mistake", "hope nobody gets to know of it."

Next, address those whose test result was negative: "How do you feel about your status now?" They also may give varied responses, "lucky", "guilty", "determined always to take precautions", "more willing to support people who are positive". When they have finished with their responses ask them to leave the inner circle and rejoin the outer circle. Those who have tested positive must remain where they are.

At this point you can open up a general discussion by asking questions such as:

• When your hand was scratched and you shook hands with others, what was going through your mind knowing now that you might have been infecting someone?
• Could the participants tell who was positive?
• Did those whose results were negative trust the results? How many wanted to be re-tested?
• Was there some way the participants could protect themselves? What about in the future?

In this exercise the participants who test "positive" may feel uncomfortable. It is important for the facilitator to be sensitive to this and to ensure not only that they come out of role but that they receive any support they need to disengage from the exercise.

Conclude the session by discussing personal and social factors that may affect (positively or negatively) individuals’ decisions about testing.

Source: Adapted from 1st Caribbean HIV and Development Workshop, Facilitators Manual, UNDP