AIDS

So... I thought I'd spend my monday morning posting about what it is I'm actually doing here. I don't have a whole lot to do so I still spend a good part of my day messing around on the internet BUT I am definitely starting to get into things and it's interesting though I have serious doubts that I will have any impact whatsoever... and this is predictable but still disappointing.

Saturday night I was out having dinner with Marika and we were approached by a guy who decided to sit with us (this happens A LOT). We start talking and it turns out that he is starting now as a HIV Peer Educator... a program included in the funding proposal I have just written. So we start chatting about the program and (keep in mind he's clearly had a few drinks) our new friend starts talking about AIDS.

He starts talking about how everyone learns about using condoms but what does that even accomplish when they sit out in 30 degree temperatures all the time. In his opinion they must be completely ineffective. He's also convinced that in developed countries we don't use condoms.

We also spoke about HIV testing. I know that getting people to get tested is hard but he was quite convincing about his anti-testing views. He said that if he finds out he has HIV, he knows he will die of AIDS and what's the point of spending money on post-secondary school. Also, he said families abandon those who are infected so that you are forced to work and take care of yourself. And if you don't have sufficient access to nutritious foods then the treatment isn't going to be very effective anyway. So, he has not been tested and does not plan to be tested.

Keeping in mind that this young man has been selected as a peer educator (granted he hasn't gone through his training yet), I am feeling discouraged about the effectiveness of these programs.

Aside from writing funding proposals, I am also meeting with student groups to try and coordinate world AIDS day events. The people I have spoken with are very enthusiastic about putting together something different this year and would like to focus on more positive messages about AIDS. Of course, I have no funding for anything so I am hoping that the groups are able to find funding and are willing to use some of it towards a collective element (I want to put together a program listing all the different events to distribute to the students.)

Also working on coordinating an event to promote HIV testing (there will be mobile testing units set up) but it's supposed to be happening in a couple of weeks and the budget was submitted so late and hasn't been approved yet.

anyway, that is what I have been and will be doing.

pictures to come. soon. I promise. tonight...unless the power goes off again.