"Hello. my name is Michael Adhiambo and I am proud to say that I am HIV positive", announced an elderly man at a DEV-Link HIV and AIDS support group network meeting.
Roz and I each attended a workshop on HIV and and AIDS on Wednesday 3rd August. Afterwards we came together to discuss our experiences listening to and working with PLWH (people living with HIV). Those that attended the meeting from the local community were members of support groups that DEV-Link had helped to set up. Due to traditions within the Luo culture, many people in Mbita do not understand how to prevent the spread of HIV and how fatal it is.
There are so many myths surrounding the virus such as a concoction that is readily available from Tanzania that 'cures' HIV and AIDS. During the meeting I heard that many, many local inhabitants had given up taken their anti-retrovials and paid the KSH800 to travel to Tanzania and then another KSH200 for this so called antidote. In fact a local man died very recently as he had put his faith solely in this witchdoctor and yet many more are still following in his footsteps.
It is clear that DEV-Link have made a huge impact on this society who are in desperate need of the truth about this widespread and ever-increasing virus. Their main weapon against this deadly syndrome is education. They believe that if the community gain a better understanding of HIV and AIDS then they will have a much higher chance of combating it.
Jennie
Like this and all this are true
ReplyDelete