The last few weeks were spent preparing for a big AIDS event here in Tchaourou for World AIDS Day. I spent some time making calls to local organizations to see what could be donated because the CPS did not have a budget to do or buy anything. We would take any donation…condoms, AIDS tests, phalluses, etc. Lucky for me, I got in touch with the right people. I not only had 432 condoms donated from one organization that included 10 phalluses to practice application, 200 more from another NGO, plus 200 female condoms but also received 100 free AIDS tests. With all these materials we needed to mobilize the community. We were able to recruit 25 community peer educators, student leaders, and involved artisans to divide and conquer to “sensibilise” the commune of Tchaourou on HIV/AIDS.
SIDE NOTE: “sensibilise” or “sensibilisation” is the act of educating the community at a grassroots level on specific issues.
The 25 leaders were separated into 4 groups to sensibilise the main zones in Tchaourou to discuss what is HIV/AIDS, how is it transmitted, what are the ways of prevention , and what is the importance of getting tested. Over the course of 2 days of sensibilisations, we reached out to 1, 042 people and all 100 of our free tested were administered. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there were not enough tests for the demand. But, one organization agreed to return in 2 weeks to administer more tests FOR FREE! To share with you the results of the test of the 100, 4 came back positive. All 4 can receive care and support from the government including ARVs, specific dietary supplements and emotional outreach.
After the event, the group leaders reconvened to discuss the difficulties and successes of the event. Successes include the high interest and seriousness of the community on the issue, the desire to be tested, and the involvement of the community in mobilizing. Difficulties include demonstrating the application of a female condom, practicing male condom applications with maturity among participants (ie men in the crowd) and lacking identification of group leaders giving the sensibilisation (i.e. no t-shirts, armbands, etc). With all these comments in mind, we are going to do the exact same event again in two weeks, but better!
Stay tuned for the details of AIDS event No. 2…
After the event, the group leaders reconvened to discuss the difficulties and successes of the event. Successes include the high interest and seriousness of the community on the issue, the desire to be tested, and the involvement of the community in mobilizing. Difficulties include demonstrating the application of a female condom, practicing male condom applications with maturity among participants (ie men in the crowd) and lacking identification of group leaders giving the sensibilisation (i.e. no t-shirts, armbands, etc). With all these comments in mind, we are going to do the exact same event again in two weeks, but better!
Stay tuned for the details of AIDS event No. 2…
1 comment:
It's so great that you guys can get as many people tested and educate them about HIV/AIDS as many are sadly lacking in understanding about this disease. For those who were tested positive, I hope they can keep getting their required medication.
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