This is week 2 into our blogs and I have to say I have learned some very interesting things. In module 1 I learned a lot about the worldwide spread of HIV. i didn't really know that so many countries had a big problem. You see on t.v where they talk about Africa and the concern for their health but they never mention countries like Asia or even Europe. What really surprised me though was the large number of people in Florida living with HIV. I never knew that Florida had some of the highest numbers in the country. When people think of Florida they think old people, Disney World, and beaches not one of the top states of people infected with HIV and black people being the predominate race infected with HIV. Its is very scary because I am a black female and I fear for our younger generation who seem to be reckless and disregard the use of safe sex or even abstinence. Young girls are having babies at ages as young as 13 and 14 years old. I know exactly how they think, " I will never get HIV" but they are wrong. I think it is important that we do everything we can to teach them that safe sex is the best sex.
I found an amazing organization in Cape Town, South Africa called Hope Cape Town. They are dedicated to helping and teaching people with HIV/AIDS. They are a non-profit organization that raise money through their many corporate partners, private funding, and annual fundraisers. As I was reading their website I found something that really caught my attention. In South Africa many people still believe in traditional healing and consult Sangomas, traditional healers. Hope Cape Town realized that they needed to combat with the Sangomas in order to reach the people.
Hope Cape Town also offers free prevention classes that teach people the ABC's of prevention. They also give people food parcels. Many of the people living in that area are below the poverty line and can not afford food for their families. Hope Cape Town only gives food for temporary relief but they do not want people to become dependent on them. Hope Cape Town is doing so much for people in South Africa. Check out the website I was very impressed and hope that we have more organizations that not only help the people in the community but help them become independent and try to enrich the community itself.
http://www.h-o-p-e.net/
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I think you are so right! Many of the young people are reckless and think its not really out there. After doing module 1, I was also surprised with the state of Florida. I think that many people don't talk about HIV/AIDS anymore. I can tell you before I knew that my brother had HIV, I didnt realy think about HIV. I think about HIV everyday.
ReplyDeleteThe organization in Cape Town is exciting, it is good to know that throughout the world people are becoming educated. It brings happiness to my heart to see that people have a choice they do not have to be infected.
It is sad that it takes someone close to use to jolt us into a position where we pay attention. Younger generations will continue to do what the older generations have done for centuries, until we start a reality-based education program to educate them on the dangers of 'It can't happen to me.'
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me that the Hope Cape Town is doing exactly what ASOs do in this country. Pass out food to tie people over; provide education; help with medications, etc.
Traditional healers have a place in the treatment of HIV as long as it includes antiretroviral medications. It took South Africa a long time to start using antiretrovirals because the government wasn't convinced that HIV caused the problem. Even after the International AIDS conference was held there, the government forbid the use of drugs for treatment and told its people to eat fruits and veggies.
Doing the module one work I was also was shock to see that Florida has one of the highest number of people living with HIV. It completely blows my mind. I have lived in the Florida my whole life and I still think of it has old people and Disney world. I also agree with you that the younger kids these days are becoming reckless, while getting my HIV test, there was a girl that couldn't have been more then 15 years old bragging about being pregnant. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteYea when I think of Florida I think of old people and beaches. I also never knew that Florida was one of the highest HIV infected places in the country. Also, I learned a lot from module 1 as well. Statistics and numbers put a face on this disease. Once you realize how many people are infected with all these numbers then you start to think..WOW this disease is a huge problem.
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