| War against AIDS
...Group targets young people in Kwara
From NWAGBO NNENYELIKE, Ilorin
Friday, July 21, 2006
Kwara State Coordinator of Hope Worldwide, Biodun Oluwake
has called on Kwara State people go for HIV test.
Hope worldwide had been in Kwara State for the past two years,
though it started 10 years ago in Nigeria. Its target is to
intervene on HIV cases.
In this regard, the group provides counseling to people. The
counselor explains to Daily Sun: "I want to encourage
people to test. A lot of people do not know their HIV status.
They are also ignorant of mode of transmission. People should
go for test in the hospital. Before the test, they should
know the implication, what the test is for. If they are positive,
what should they do? After the test, they should come back
to be counseled. Most things are free; the counseling and
the drugs, but the test is not free, because some kits are
used. The screening is N700.
Thereafter, if the person is positive, he would be told how
much he would pay. There are various tests to be done. When
somebody knows his status, he can make adjustments. This would
help to prepare the person for the future, before it develops
to AIDS because by then it would be too late. I can tell you
that HIV is like any other disease. We educate on HIV.’’
She highlights how the charity organisation carries on in
Kwara State. "We have a lot of activities lined up. Kwara
State is included in the drive. We help as much people as
we can. We work on HIV intervention. We all know that there
is a pandemic on ground and we cannot fold our arms. As a
responsible charity organisation we want to see how much we
can contribute to alleviate the problems. What we do in Kwara
State is to provide counseling services at the University
of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Before a person goes for HIV
test it is imperative that the person is counseled, before,
after and during the test. This depends on the outcome of
the result. A person who tests positive would need continuous
counseling. It does not stop. We have been doing this.’’
Even though their focus is on HIV, they do other things in
Kwara. "Apart from HIV issues, we work with young people.
We have a youth resource centre, where young people can be
educated. We have tapes for them to watch. We have literature
where they can learn. We are available for them. You know
these young people are inquisitive. They want to know a lot
of things. We encourage them. We help them to channel their
energy into positive areas. We help the orphans and vulnerable
children. But funds and resources keep that at bay.
We have acquired 25 hectares of land in Asa Local Government.
It is for a Vocational Centre. We want to get the youths who
have been roaming about not doing something. While they wait
to write JAMB exam they would be trained in some skills that
would help them in the future. We also want young ones learn
properly the art of sports and games. This would complement
the efforts of the Kwara State in Football College of Excellence.
The youths have to learn the art of football. It would help
the future of soccer in Nigeria.
"We also have a food programme. We provide food for some
homes that we are going to choose. We give people living with
the HIV nutritional support. We look forward to getting funds
so that we can be able to do this well. Our focus on this
is for people living with the virus. You know some of them
cannot work anymore. They are so tired. Some have lost their
jobs.
"I have the hope of taking Hope Worldwide to places as
far as Kaiama, Patigi, and Baruten. I have personally visited
these places. I see the need for us to contribute positively
in those areas, especially in the area of education. We want
to help young people to aspire to be important persons. They
should see themselves as individuals who can achieve greatness.
On HIV cases in Kwara hear her. "I can tell you that
there is a great deal of work that should be commended. The
Kwara State Action Committee on AIDS is very active. The Local
Government Action Committee on AIDS is working. Trainings
have been going on sensitising people. Messages in terms of
jingles are intensive. We still need more people to come out
and work. But with the work going on we have been affecting
people’s behaviour. I must say that the efforts of the
State should be commended.
She counseled HIV positive persons on how to fight for their
rights. "Everybody has a right to life, to education
and employment. It would not be fair to fire a person from
work because of his HIV status. If somebody with diabetes
is at work, a person with HIV should be there. We just want
to appeal to the members of National Assembly to look at passing
a bill to help people who are living with HIV. They should
be protected from harassments and the stigma.
They are discriminated against. They have a right. You do
not send somebody away from school because he is HIV positive.
If he is brilliant and he can pass his examinations, why not
allow him go to school? I would say that HIV positive person
should appeal or seek legal redress. He should go to the court.
It is his right. Why should he be denied employment or admission
so that he reads a course that would let him aspire in life?
Would it hinder him from doing it? You do not get the virus
by sitting with people in the class or working with them.
Also, work place initiative should be enforced in places of
employment. However, some organisations are responding and
they are doing very well. They know their staff members who
have the virus. They do not discriminate against them. That
is the kind of thing we should do. It is like any other illness.
It is not a big deal.’’ The trained secretarial
administrator, social worker and counselor said. |
