A New HIV/AIDS Awareness in Wau Diocese
By Andrea Ngong Deng
I would like to inform you that On Sunday 11th March 2012 I had an opportunity to speak to three hundred seventy eight Christians in the church about HIV/AIDS. My speech was well received since I am a victim myself in this case. Many Christians were amazed to hear that I am HIV/AIDS positive and stood in front of them speaking about HIV/AIDS, it was something so unbelievable. However I have managed to tell them how people should protect themselves against this incurable disease and prevent it from being transmitted from one person to another.
On the same day I met with the Director of the HIV/AIDS commission, Dr Deng Akol of Warrap state in his office and we discussed the ways the church and government together they can join hands and fight HIV/AIDS together to reduce its spread.
But how to do it? We thought the best way to succeed in this matter is to encourage people to go for testing at a VCT (Voluntary Counseling Test) wherever it s available, absence from sex until becoming married and encourage young people to use condoms and be faithfully to just bone partner.
We also discussed about people living with HIV/AIDS who are often seen as great sinners, useless in the community, treated as outcasts and as result they often commit suicide. We also discussed how we can encourage our communities to accept and live peacefully with people that have HIV/AIDS so that they live positive lives and feel accepted in their community.
It was during this discussion with the Director that he proposed a task for me. He said he would consider me as one of his staff to create awareness among the communities of Warrap State in the Diocese of Wau.