Young volunteers dispel myths surrounding HIV and AIDS

By the time Irene Phiri found out that her boyfriend was having an affair with another woman, it was too late. She had contracted the HIV virus from the man she loved and to whom she was engaged to be married.

Because of the trust she had for her fiancé, Irene initially refused to undergo tests when she fell ill and visited a hospital in December 2005. Almost one year later it took her brother's encouragement and support, when her bouts of sickness failed to subside, for her to face up to her denials and find out the nature of her illness.

Upon confronting her boyfriend, she was met with a not dissimilar initial reaction to her own where he refused to believe what he was being told. It was not until he had a child with his other partner, who died from the HIV virus whilst still an infant, that his stubborn denials could no longer continue.

This experience not only made Irene, now 28, want to learn more about the virus, but also drove her to make others more aware of its significance and consequences.

"The same year I found out I was HIV positive was also when I had just qualified as a primary school teacher. I thought this meant the end of my life," she admits.

"What I have been through makes me want to make sure that no one else has to suffer a similar experience," says Irene who currently works in Kapiri Basic School, in Zambia's central province. "By working as a Youth Ambassador I feel I am able to get through to many of the children I teach and improve their knowledge."

From plays to poems

Putting on plays, writing poems, singing songs and making up games are among the methods used by these Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors like Irene to engage with the classes they take, which often contain upwards of 60 students.

One such activity involves seven students linking arms and forming a protective circle around one of their classmates who represents a person's body. Two further students are placed on the outside of this circle acting as viruses whose aim is to break through. Youth Ambassadors created this game to demonstrate that carelessness will force this circle to break, thus allowing the virus to attack, which leads them on to discussing ways to ensure the students do not contract the virus.

There are currently 16 Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors working in Zambia, eight of whom are HIV positive, whilst the remaining half have been affected in another way, such as living with a family member who has the illness.

Part of the training involves teaching the ambassadors correct information about HIV and AIDS so they are in a strong position to dispel many myths which circulate in schools. The other aspect of this training focuses on suggesting various techniques which the volunteers might wish to use in their classes. But day in day out, it is the responsibility of the volunteers to design and execute their own lesson plans.

The bakafunisha, teachers - who come from all over Zambia - are placed in communities, making them available to interact with the students and local community full time.

Ending embarrassment

When he was 15, Panko Musialike lost his father to the virus. Three years later his mother suffered the same fate, leaving 18-year-old Panko as head of the family with three younger sisters.

"When I lost my Mum it became much worse and I was now in charge and responsible for the family. It was an extremely difficult time for me."

Panko, who is now 22 years old, admits that when he found out his parents were suffering aged eight and for some time afterwards, he didn't fully comprehend the pending repercussions HIV and AIDS would have on him and his family.

It was only when his father was forced to stop work and Panko began to nurse him that the stark reality and full horror of the situation fully presented itself.

"When I teach, I put in what I went through and share my experiences to give students a better understanding on why we are fighting this pandemic. I want to make sure that as they grow my classes don't have to go through what I did."

Panko teaches at Lukinda Basic School in Kampiri Mposhi, which has over 2,000 pupils, some of whom admit that before these classes some of them were shy or embarrassed about discussing sexually transmitted infections.

"Some students think it is just a joke. But when we see and learn from people who suffer in some way, it brings it home and becomes more real," says Wonder Nalungwe, a 13-year-old girl who aspires to be a Doctor.

Speaking frankly

Kate Roberts, Programme Co-ordinator for Students Partnership Worldwide, an NGO which places young people at the forefront of change and development, works with the Commonwealth Youth Programme. She is involved in recruiting and selecting the volunteers and conducting the training.

"Whilst some teachers might not feel comfortable discussing issues of sexuality with their pupils, the volunteers are happy and able to speak frankly, often about very difficult topics because of their own personal experiences," she observes.

Ms Roberts argues that by talking openly these youth ambassadors make it okay to be afraid but provide hope and comfort that there is constant support available.

"It is one thing to tell students that HIV cannot be contracted by sharing a glass of water. It is quite another to share your experiences of sharing a house or a bed with someone who has the illness."

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• Youth
• Country Profile: Zambia