RESPECT is growing everyday, everywhere!
Human Interest Story:
Disbelief in the reality of HIV/AIDS
There is still strong belief amongst some Sierra Leoneans that HIV/AIDS is unreal. Some only accept the reality of this killer when it affects them or their loved ones. The story below is about a strong disbeliever on the existence of HIV/AIDS and how he came to learn that it is real.
Before the sensitization campaign on HIV/AIDS in one of our operational communities in Southern Sierra Leone, a prominent community leader never taught there is anything like the killer virus aids. Upon description of what the virus is and how it can be contracted in the community meeting place at the center of the village jam-packed with men, women of all ages, the community leader was stunned and decided to ask the question: "Why is it that this virus you described to be deadly could be contracted through sex, the means by which the act of procreation is promoted?" Before the speaker could complete supplying the answer, the leader interrupted and ordered the gathering to disperse stressing that the PPEN-SL staff does not know what they are doing.
Two months later, the eldest son of the community leader, a highly educated gentleman working for a reputable agency in the city, died of a HIV/AIDS-related illness. The corps was brought to the village for burial. Upon learning that his son died of HIV/AIDS, the man was shocked and since then learnt the lesson that AIDS is real. He joined the HIV/AIDS campaign.
