HIV Education & Life Skills
1.2 million Zambians, 13.5% of the adult population, are living with HIV.
Although rates have been declining, there continues to be significant social stigma against getting tested and disclosing HIV status. For over a decade, STOP THE SPREAD (our HIV Education team) has been striving to educate students, so they can protect themselves, feel confident to learn their status through testing, and support each other through life’s challenges.
Although rates have been declining, there continues to be significant social stigma against getting tested and disclosing HIV status. For over a decade, STOP THE SPREAD (our HIV Education team) has been striving to educate students, so they can protect themselves, feel confident to learn their status through testing, and support each other through life’s challenges.
Through games, skits, music, teaching, small groups, and one-on-one interactions, we taught students about various aspects of HIV/AIDS. Much of our time in the schools involved breaking down the cultural barriers and seeking to engage in relationships with the students through a variety of activities and small group settings. Along with the fun, we provided information about a wide variety of topics such as the biology of HIV; the means of transmission, contraction and prevention; the risks involved in premarital sex; getting tested; positive living; ARVs; dealing with trauma; and God's Grace. We particularly sought to address the stigma concerning HIV and encourage the students to embrace those who have been affected by the epidemic. This stigma plays into a fear of being tested, so we discussed the need to get tested and share our experiences with testing, including the procedure and fears that come along with the process.
The risks of non consensual and consensual sex outside of marriage and the impact pre-mature death of a loved one does not just lie in the physical realm (HIV, STD's, poverty, etc); they also greatly affect emotional and spiritual aspects of a person's life. We entered into these vulnerable areas along with the students by sharing our own personal testimonies of life, loss, abuse, HIV, choices, and the redemption that comes through Christ. Our emphasis on small group sessions helped to shape the students' perspectives and allow them to interact with each other and ask questions of us in a more intimate setting. Throughout each week or two-week program we allowed time for counseling and one-on-one interaction. We encouraged students to open up about their experiences and allow their voices to be heard -- sometimes for the first time. The local club facilitators who worked with the students throughout the year were also encouraged to build this into the weekly meetings and take care to get to know the students on an individual level. The program as a whole was formulated to give the students a holistic, interactive, and down-to-earth approach to HIV, sex education, and life skills. Special care was taken when addressing sensitive issues such as sexual abuse and death.
The risks of non consensual and consensual sex outside of marriage and the impact pre-mature death of a loved one does not just lie in the physical realm (HIV, STD's, poverty, etc); they also greatly affect emotional and spiritual aspects of a person's life. We entered into these vulnerable areas along with the students by sharing our own personal testimonies of life, loss, abuse, HIV, choices, and the redemption that comes through Christ. Our emphasis on small group sessions helped to shape the students' perspectives and allow them to interact with each other and ask questions of us in a more intimate setting. Throughout each week or two-week program we allowed time for counseling and one-on-one interaction. We encouraged students to open up about their experiences and allow their voices to be heard -- sometimes for the first time. The local club facilitators who worked with the students throughout the year were also encouraged to build this into the weekly meetings and take care to get to know the students on an individual level. The program as a whole was formulated to give the students a holistic, interactive, and down-to-earth approach to HIV, sex education, and life skills. Special care was taken when addressing sensitive issues such as sexual abuse and death.
The emphasis of the education program has been on teaching and interacting with Zambian high school students. However, training has also been conducted with pastors and church leaders, teachers, other interested adults. Our goal is to equip these people to use their platforms to reach, educate, and provide hope to a variety of audiences in regard to HIV.
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Former trainees have joined as STS Club Facilitators for ongoing work in Zambia. There are many activities happening year-round, centering on the formation and support of STS clubs in middle schools and high schools. The club activities re-enforce the same basic principles as are taught during our short-term trips, as well as covering other related issues and forming deeper relationships than could be possible with a 2-week program.
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The good news is that the statistics have been gradually improving since we put our video together. But there is still a long way to go!