LWF/WS-Eritrea Program has been
engaged in the implementation of HIV and
AIDS, and Reproductive Health and Rights
Education Project in Mai Edaga village
since October 2003. The main components
of the project are education, advocacy and
counselling.
Project implementation has been handled
by the steering committee formed by the
community of Mai Edaga. It has 9 voluntary
members from Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Education, Local Administration, National
Union of Eritrean Youth and Students,
National Union of Eritrean Women and
members of the community.
The project targets the community in
general and adolescents, parents, religious
leaders, traditional practitioners and
Traditional Birth Attendants in particular.
When the project started, HIV and AIDS
was a taboo in the community. The elderly,
especially the women were not willing to
participate in any discussions.
HIV and AIDS was seen as transgression
and stigma. One example is, if the
clergymen know that a person has died of
AIDS the formal prayers at the burial
ceremony were not carried out.
The situation in Mai Edaga is different now.
The community is no more reacting in this
way. Individuals who are infected could
come to meetings to openly talk with the
community leaders.
Mr. Debretsion Hailai is infected with HIV.
He said, "Community leaders open
discussion about HIV and AIDS has created
an environment for us to openly talk about
our own infection."
"I have suffered a lot in trying to cover my
status because I saw people being
stigmatized because of the infection. I was
so depressed."
"But now my community's attitude has
changed. They have started to listen to us.
This has enabled us to gain courage."
"I was rejected before but now I am
accepted", said Mr. Debretsion. "I have
been invited for meetings and discussions.
This has given me a new courage to
contribute more in fighting HIV and AIDS
not only in my village but in the whole
nation."
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
