( CNN ) -- `` It 's the story of morning afters and sweet departures ... and the stains we leave on each other '' -- so begins the trailer for `` Shuga , '' a cutting-edge MTV drama that 's been a smash hit in Africa . For many young Africans , the three-part TV series about a group of students in Nairobi living under the constant specter of HIV/AIDS is the story of their own lives -- and is the reason `` Shuga '' took the continent by storm when it debuted late last year . Actress Sharon Olago , who played promiscuous party girl Violet in `` Shuga , '' believes the Kenyan show has been so successful because it mirrors the complexities of modern young life , without falling into a moralistic , conventional narrative on safe sex . `` 'Shuga ' did not exaggerate anything , it relived what Kenya is , '' says Olago . `` That is why it got the fame it did , that is why people jumped into it , because people saw themselves in it . '' Set and filmed on location in Nairobi , the soap opera came about after UNICEF teamed up with MTV to create a health campaign to impact the lives of youths in Kenya , where an estimated 6.5 percent of its population lives with HIV . Part of MTV 's Staying Alive campaign , `` Shuga '' was designed and produced to draw its young audience to crucial health and social issues . Its bold style distinguished it from many other TV shows in Africa and won it fans across the continent . The show follows Ayira , a 22-year old college student whose ambition and hunger for the high life is complicating her relationship with her boyfriend Ty ; Ayira 's friend Violet , a party girl whose many sexual exploits is straining her friendships ; and Kenneth , Skola and Leo , members of the wealthy , swaggering , fast boy crew on campus . `` Shuga '' portrays a modern city , complete with the vices that go hand in hand with 21st century life . At the center of most of the action is Ayira , played by Lupita Nyong ' o . While the MTV and UNICEF campaign driving the show emphasizes the importance of safe sex and HIV testing , it also talks about `` how HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence -- and that 's a really , really important thing , '' according to Nyong ' o . `` If one catches it early on , you can live a healthy life with HIV , '' the actress , who is currently enrolled in a drama course at Yale University in the United States , told CNN . Nyong ' o , whose mother worked in a family planning clinic when she was a child , says `` Shuga '' has given her a platform to speak about HIV/AIDS to a wider audience . The show has struck a chord with young audiences . A staggering 60 percent of Kenyan youths saw `` Shuga '' -- and 90 percent said they intended to change their behavior as a result , according to a survey conducted by Johns Hopkins University following the show 's broadcast . The show not only made an impact on its viewers , however ; its cast says `` Shuga '' forever changed their lives for the better . Nicholas Mutuma , who plays the character of Leo , says he `` freaked out '' when he first read the script . `` The more I read it , the more I saw me in some of those characters , '' he said . `` Me and a couple of the other cast members , we decided we did n't want to be hypocrites -- we 're not going to get this message out there when we do n't know our status ourselves , '' said Mutuma . `` So we did get tested , and it 's an empowering experience . '' Nearly a year after the show 's debut , the responsibility of making sure the lessons of `` Shuga '' continue to be heard now rests with the show 's young cast members . Both Mutuma and Olago have become of the vocal campaigners spreading the message of safe sex and helping educate communities about HIV and AIDS . `` The way `` Shuga '' is scripted and the way it is shot , everyone can enjoy it -- it is entertaining , but it educates you at the same time , '' said Olago , who also went to get tested following completion of the show . `` That is what you want , '' says Olago . `` You want to learn something , especially on issues of HIV/AIDS , which is very personal to all of us . ''
`` `` Shuga '' '' follows young people living with the specter of HIV/AIDS in Kenya . The show is the result of an UNICEF and UNICEF health campaign in Nairobi . More than 60 % of Africans youth watched the show 's debut .