Chawakua - The Education of HIV/AIDS

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Education builds empowerment. Education builds strength. Education builds awareness.

CHAWAKUA believes that education is the key to empowering women and youth in the battle against HIV/AIDS, and the knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health. Our staff educates in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Local Women’s Groups, Street Children Centers, Vocational Centers, Church’s and Community Centers. Additionally, we target out of school youth through workshops, and train Community Leaders through sensitization meetings.

Education is key! People must be aware of the problems of HIV/AIDS. We want our community to know how the disease is spread, to understand the suffering, and to be knowledgeable of the symptoms. We must educate our population on the importance of the HIV/AIDS incubation period. Although an individual may be infected with HIV, he/she may show no signs or symptoms for years.

People must get tested! People need to know their HIV/AIDS status! We must educate our people in order to reduce the stigma of those infected with HIV/AIDS. Our education efforts are working. Stigmatization within the community has reduced significantly over the years. Community members are coming to our CHAWAKUA office to ask for education and support on the needs of patient care. However, stigmatization remains high in many rural areas throughout the country. This is due to the limited exposure to HIV/AIDS education to those living in remote areas versus those living in larger cities.

Our youth are most heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS. Due to the devastation that HIV/AIDS causes families, thousands of children have been left with no parental care. Community members or remaining family members are left to provide assistance. We must tackle this issue. We need to continue to educate our community and youth on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health. Parents and schools are hesitant to teach our youth about their own physical changes. They believe this education will lead to promiscuous behavior. CHAWAKUA provides this education to youth in order for them to understand the changes happening to their own body. This education includes HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, relationships, drug addiction, sexual education, value & self esteem.

Asha Mruma, Managing Director.