East African Community Commemorates World AIDS Day, Renews Commitment to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support

DECEMBER 2006 — More than 500 children, youth and adults gathered on the grounds of Malaba Primary School near the border between Kenya and Uganda to commemorate World AIDS Day Dec. 1. Music, drama and stirring "testimonies" from community members touched the audience.  By day's end, 107 people sought counseling and testing at a clinic set up on site to provide these services for free. Malaba, Kenya, is a "SafeTStop," part of the ROADS Project's Regional Transport Corridor Initiative designed to reduce HIV transmission, improve care, and lessen the impact of HIV and AIDS along the major transport corridors of East Africa.

Enthusiastically addressing the supportive audience, an HIV-positive man testified to how antiretroviral therapy has helped him become stronger and better able to work and contribute to community life in recent months.  Moments later, an older man approached asking "VCT iko wapi?"— Kiswahili for "Where is the VCT [voluntary counseling and testing]?"

Children especially enjoyed the boda-boda (bicycle taxi) competition. Dozens of bicyclists jockeyed for position and then burst into motion on a 10-kilometer route that led back to the school.  Parents and caretakers struggled to drag children back to the ongoing presentations as the youngsters preferred to stand in the road expectantly awaiting the return of the boda-bodas.

"I have been HIV positive for six years now," announced a woman addressing the crowd. She brimmed with self-confidence and inspired those gathered. Many people living with HIV/AIDS were present; their positive energy and determination to further HIV prevention, care and treatment were palpable.

As the workshops and educational sessions ended, a procession left from Malaba Primary School and proceeded down Malaba-Bungoma Road. The group was headed to the LifeWorks Shamba, a SafeTStop demonstration farm that produces food for nearly 6,000 people, including 1,280 patients on antiretroviral therapy and their families, including vulnerable women who might otherwise resort to transactional sex to feed their children. The celebration continued over a hearty meal of meat, rice and vegetables provided by Appropriate Grassroots Interventions (AGRI), a ROADS Project partner.

Following their meal, 300 community members toured the farm, each receiving a free tree to plant at their homes along with a simple informational guide to ensure "fastest growth rates."  The Grevillea Robusta and Cashurina trees were also donated by AGRI. With little vegetation in Malaba, the trees will help form wind barriers to protect crops. Mohamed Muyonga, ROADS site coordinator in Malaba, said, "Trees are also a symbol of life. In Africa, on occasions such as a birth or death, trees are planted to commemorate the life." In this case, the three hundred trees donated to community members symbolized renewed hope in life.

Finally, community members took leave, smiling appreciatively and repeating asante (thank you). Coming together on World AIDS Day, they had renewed their commitment to work together to prevent HIV and improve care and treatment in their community throughout the year.

Read more about other World AIDS Day activities of FHI country offices.

PHOTO (top): A woman leads school children in songs and skits before a large and appreciative audience at World AIDS Day ceremonies in Malaba, Kenya. (Mindie Kniss, FHI/Roads Project)

PHOTO (above): Boda-boda riders gear up for a spirited, 10-kilometer race in Malaba, Kenya, on World AIDS Day. (Mindie Kniss, FHI/Roads Project)