the big H word

HIV/AIDS is the virus that is killing South Africa. With one in four people infected, everyone is affected. Children are raised by grandparents as their parents died a long time ago. The rates just continue to increase. This country is quite liberal, especially in regards to sex. Quite different to some very Christian African nations.

So there are condoms everywhere. In every toilet in the University of Cape Town- there is a massive box of condoms. I was impressed coming from Queens where you would be shot or at least deeply frowned upon for suggesting encouragement of safe sex.

I thought this article was funny- Britain donating condoms in anticipation of the world cup...or in anticipation of a lot of horny Brits on holiday.

lol.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/09/condoms-south-africa-world-cup

My work for the past week is to research different HIV programmes for high-risk youth. While there might be condoms in all the toilets, it doesn't mean that people are using them. And with statistics like one in four, your chances are not looking positive. My boss wants to create a new HIV/life skills course for high-risk young adults. For those living in townships surrounded by poverty and violence. She wants to make the course fun and engaging- to try to teach life skills to prevent violence, to respect women and relationships. Sexual violence and HIV are interconnected and women are three times more likely to be infected. And with one in four women being victims of sexual violence, things are not looking good. So the goal: find a programme that works and change society. It's overwhelming at times.