In front of the hall stand two brave people. They are Naomi Ziba and Philemon Masive, both HIV-positive. Naomi and Philemon are volunteers who visit different audiences to talk about HIV/Aids through their own experience. They are both involved with the local clinic of CIRDZ, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia.
Now they are standing in front of around 35 KYP’s students in the happening that was arranged on HIV/Aids. Naomi and Philemon took their audience immediately. Especially Philemon, whose strong voice together with the strong appearance fulfilled the room.Philemon found out that he was positive after having tuberculosis twice in a short period. He was tested in 2002, and he started ARVs straight away. Now he is feeling good. Naomi found out of her state a bit similar way: she used to be constantly ill, and the reason was found when she got tested. She too started ARVs and now she is married and has two healthy children.
When time, several hands are raised for questions. Students are asking for example that “Can the baby get infected through mother’s milk while breast feeding?” and “When can you stop using the ARVs?”Discussion continues lively until it is time for the drama group to perform.
The drama group sings songs about having several sexual relationships, and performs a play handling HIV in marriage. After the performance the discussion with Philemon and Naomi continues until we are forced to move on to the lectures.
Obviously there is need for the knowledge and a reason for arranging a similar happening again.
