HOPE worldwide Kenya (HWWK) has two program outlets in Makueni District, namely Chagua Maisha VCT and Youth Centre in the town of Makindu and Mountain Of Hope VCT and Youth Centre in the town of Kibwezi. Both held public community events to mark World AIDs Day 2006.
Mobilizing Many In Makindu
1 December 2006. Early showers of rain in Makindu paved the way for a bright sunny morning. Radiant smiles of community members, Chagua Maisha staff and volunteers were evident.
Chagua Maisha involved partners, who contributed resources and their valuable time, in organizing a colourful event to mark the World AIDS Day, an important commemoration, marked every year on December 1. Partners included Makindu Children's Centre, Ministry of Health, Ngulu wa Ngao Human Rights group, ACT Now VCT and Youth Centre, Kiunduani Children's Centre, and a local support group of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Following a procession along the highway and through town, a commemorative tree was planted, after which the local chief's camp provided the arena where several groups entertained the guests and all those present from all walks of life with informative and educative skits, poems and songs, intoned and laced with powerful messages on abstinence and living positively with HIV/AIDS (by PLWHA), that had members of the audience keen, cupping their faces, thinking and meditating.
Dr. Kataka from Makindu sub-district hospital said the hospital is striving to ensure that it renders services to PLWHA's in a dignified and professional way, before guest of honour, District Officer, Mr. Hajj, took the stage and said, "The government, with support from donors and other local partners, is taking the initiative to ensure that PLWHA's get Anti Retroviral medication at no charge and get services at public institutions, just like other persons, as they are also Kenyans and above all they are human beings."
A late lunch was served shortly afterwards at Chagua Maisha, and that night a powerful, high energy outreach that attracted a great number of young people was conducted to further gather youth through music and dance and increase knowledge and skills about HIV prevention.
Keeping The Promise In Kibwezi
In the town of Kibwezi a crowd with banners, placards and theme t-shirts gathered at HWWK's VCT center and program site. Prayers and a procession were followed by presentations by participants. Skits and speeches, rap and recitals from community groups, school children, trained peer educators and two children from the kids club reiterated the day's theme.
To add flavour to the day, the theme, "Stop AIDS: Keep The Promise" was declared to the audience in several languages - English, Swahili, Kamba, Taita, Bukusu, Kisii, French, Dutch and Danish - by native speakers of these languages, illustrating that the cause of fighting AIDS and supporting those living with HIV is a global cause that requires the efforts of all. It demonstrated that AIDS is no respecter of language or culture but also served to communicate that there is no linguistic or ethnic barrier to stop the spread of the rallying call of those engaged in the battle to end AIDS and the struggle to bring hope.
The guest of honour, deputy head teacher of Nguumo Primary School, where HWWK has trained peer educators, said, "Peer education promotes self-discipline and parents at our school have commented about the improved behaviour of their children who have been trained in peer education," while HWWK assistant program officer in Kibwezi said, "Each of us has to do something - whatever we can - however little it may seem, to contribute significantly to the fight against HIV and the fight against stigma, which is one of our greatest enemies," and a representative from a nearby sisal plantation acknowledged the progress made in keeping the promise by government, NGO's and employers, saying, "Through timeless efforts in peer education much has been achieved in sensitization about HIV/AIDS," concluding with the exhortation, "Let us be preachers of the great news everywhere."
Two days later HWWK, through its Kibwezi program outlet, extended HIV testing and counseling services at a community event organized at the plantation, which is 6 km from Kibwezi town.
Not only on December 1 but everyday, in whatever language and by whatever caring and compassionate means available, may we all keep the promise, and ultimately stop AIDS.
