A NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisation dubbed Mothers-2-Mothers has demistified and educated Junior High School (JHS) Students at Kanda cluster of schools near GBC in the Ayawaso East Municipality, on the myths of HIV in Accra.
The students were made to believe that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is almost like other normal diseases, but one gets it innocently mostly through sex and other posible means.
These possible means include blood transfusion, blood covenant, and the immediate use of sharp objects used by HIV infected persons.
William Tsekpo, the Ayawaso East Municipal Director of Education who spoke on the theme, “Don’t Buy It; Empowering Students Against HIV Myths and High-Risk Behaviour”, urged these JHS students not to buy into behaviours that have the tendency to lure them into early sex at their young age.
He entreated them to beware of behaviours that could lead them to making a choice that would affect their future. Hence, the need for them to abstain from early sex which when they engaged in could make them HIV victims.
Mr. Tsekpo however appealed to the students not to discriminate against any person with HIV/AIDS, because they always need them and their families to live long.
The students were informed that behaviour change starts with them; therefore, they should always say no to indiscriminate sex; unprotected casual sex; transactional sex whilst in school especially for grades; sexual harassment; and blood covenant, even when they come of age.
Madam Yvonne Prempeh, Country Directress of Mothwr-2-Mothers Organisation, Ghana branch, said their mission is geared towards young ladies between the ages of 10 and 24 years.
According to her, they are more vulnerable to get the HIV easily and spread it fast; so when they are well informed at their young age, it helps to reduce the wide-spread of the virus.
The Country Directress guided the students through how a person could prevent HIV.
The event became interactive when the students were contributing meaningfully to indicate that they have little knowledge about the HIV pandemic.
Madam Yvonne informed them that there are medicines such as anti-retroviral drugs that make persons with HIV look good and healthy.
HIV positive pregnant women or the breast-feeding mothers are given drugs to prevent their babies from getting the virus.
In an interview with Nationaltymes.com, Madam Yvonne hinted that the organisation goes to educate the young ladies at the tertiary institutions.
She also indicates that her NGO, Mothers-2-Mothers even goes to educate sex workers about the need for them to use condoms and other preventive contraceptive in order not to get and share the HIV.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
