Thursday, November 26, 2009

The HIV/AIDs Lessons

"But sex is so sweet, so once you start you can't just stop."--A 6th grader's response to abstinence as a HIV prevention method

As forementioned, I have spent the last 5 weeks collaborating with two other volunteers to teach the local 6th grade class about HIV and AIDs--prevention, myths, statistics, the whole she-bang. Our goal is to have the 6th graders partake in a big festivity on December 5th for World AIDs Day, which is actually December 1st. Due to some logistical concerns with the village life we felt it would be best to move it to the weekend.

Basically, the other two PCVs and I approached the principal/6th grade teacher about working with his class of 6th graders which is made up of 16 students between the ages of 12 and 17. We wanted to do a 7 week HIV/AIDs course and then have it culminate with a big event where the class will put on a performances for the village about what they have learned in the class. So the first 5 weeks were spent teaching--nay, trying to teach the students about what HIV is, how it progresses to AIDs, how it can be prevented, why it's important to get tested for HIV and other STDs, how it might feel to have HIV and how we can support members of our community who have HIV. I say we tried to teach this because there was lots of giggling, naturally, and definitely a language barrier. But despite the challenges we have definitely gotten through. We have seen improvements across the board in general knowledge about how HIV can and can not be transmitted--even I have learned a few things. And perhaps the turning point for the class was when one of the volunteers I worked with told the story of a woman named Renatha who had come to my village a year earlier for a Peace Corps HIV/AIDs training and told her story about how she had acquired HIV from her husband and had been disowned by her family. When this volunteer told the students that this woman, Renatha, was now dead, I believe our message about the seriousness of the situation hit home for the kids.

Finally, we are beginning to wrap up our lessons and work on our World AIDs event with the students. The students will do a couple of raps, skits, a dance, draw posters and present facts about HIV related issues for the community. Our event, which is funded by UNICEF, will be held at the village's community center. The goal of this event and project is to not only increase general awareness and knowledge about HIV but most importantly to promote testing for young male's.


2 comments:

  1. Nice picture of you and the class. Great that the presentation was a success. How was Suriname Independence Day? Hope we can come to see you soon. --Mom

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  2. Sounds eerily similar to life in the corporate world. - Greg

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