SHUGA ACTRESS CHOSEN TO CHAMPION AIDS PREVENTION

Sharon Mina Olago the actress who played the reckless party girl, Violet in the popular MTV series Shuga, has been commissioned for two years to be a champion of women’s HIV prevention.
She was crowned the Prevention Champion at the two-day first Kenya Women’s HIV Prevention and Sexuality Symposium at the Panari Sky Centre that ended on September 1.
Sharon will be tasked with the responsibility of identifying ways of ensuring women in Kenya are better protected against HIV.
“It marks an important milestone in Kenya’s response to the HIV pandemic. It recognizes that women bear the greatest burden when it comes to HIV,” Yasmin Halima Director Global Campaign for Microbicides said.



A stunned Sharon told Hot Secrets, “I’m humbled by this, being an artiste, researcher and a woman, rarely did I think I could have the responsibility to champion this nobel cause. It is very humbling.” Adding, she will need guidance and mentorship from other professionals in the field of HIV prevention to succeed.
Asked how she landed the chance to champion women’s issues, she said, “I have no idea how they picked me for the role but I believe it is something to do with Shuga.”
The modest 28-year-old activist and model failed to mention that her diverse education background also played a big role. She is currently in Kisii doing research for her Masters in Entrepreneurship Development in University of Nairobi, failed to mention that she also has a degree in Law under a belt and a Postgraduate in Management Marketing.

HERE IT COMES, SHUGA 2 WITH TWICE THE DRAMA !

After the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria last week, the officials behind the gripping three-part drama, Shuga gave it a new lease of life.
On Tuesday, July 20, a panel of MTV, Pepfar and Unicef officials heard that in Kenya, where the three part series was filmed, an astounding 64% of young people 15-24 were aware of the campaign and 60% saw it and remembered it.
This lead to increased intentions to take an HIV test decreased intentions to be in a concurrent relationship and increased positive attitudes relating to HIV stigma. More importantly, over 90% of the young people in Kenya viewer group said the show had an effect on their thinking.
What could the big shots do but declare that a sequel to Shuga be shot. Also at the conference were two of the actors in the MTV dara series, Lupita Nyongo and Nicholas Mutuma, both of whom played lead roles as Ayira and Leo respectively.

Shuga is a no hold bared drama about the lives of a group of students in Nairobi featuring their of sex, ambition, hopes and fears; will see it given a new life line.
However with the return of Shuga 2, will see some actors dropped as their characters die and others take on a new lease of life.

LUPITA AND LEO IN AUSTRIA FOR AIDS CONFERENCE

Two Kenyan actors from the hit series Shuga have traveled to Vienna, Austria for the International AIDS Conference.
Lupita Nyong'o who played the lead Ayira and co actor Nicholas Munene who played Leo took part in the Tuesday July 13, night viewing of the MTV series at the Steigenberger Herrenhof Hotel, Herrengasse in Vienna.
The conference also saw a report on the social exclusion of children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The report highlights underlying causes of the epidemic that are unique to the region, including the complex challenges that make youth vulnerable to HIV or early death due to drug use and other diseases.
Shuga is the brainchild of MTV Staying Alive, the global HIV and AIDS education and prevention campaign, PEPFAR's HIV-Free Generation's "GPANGE" campaign and UNICEF as part of the broader MTV Staying Alive Ignite campaign.

Shuga Rules Kenyan and Zambian Streets

Street Teamer Mo and Peterson pose with Nicholas Mutuma, (Leo) at the Zambian Premiere
Sharon, Lupita and Valerie
Teboho take a moment to chill, amidst a hectic day of shooting
Jimmy Gait on set
P Unit's Bon eye and Nonini on set

Shuga has been released in Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia and has since been taking these countries by storm.

If you have missed an episode of Shuga - don't worry, because all three of the episodes and some exclusive Behind The Scenes content is here.

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