This article was written while I was working for World Vision Cambodia.
Awareness campaign on
HIV and AIDS has educated Sopheara
Eighteen year-old Sopheara Kim is the
eldest of three siblings. She was born in a good family and loves to
learn about many things and issues, among them HIV and AIDS.
Complex as it is, she had misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. She says, “I was really scared of HIV and AIDS, even just hearing the word. I do not want to see or get to know an HIV and AIDS-afflicted person. I was afraid I might get infected even by talking to and being near them. I always prayed hard to be free from this virus.”
Sopheara’s family members also have the same sentiment. If they see someone skinny, they judge that with the person has HIV and AIDS.
Because of the misunderstanding, Sopheara even had nightmares having and dying of the virus. Scared, she thought it can destroy people’s lives and she has nowhere to go.
This perception changed when Sopheara joined the HIV and AIDS awareness-raising activities in her village led by World Vision. The activities educated the community about the disease and encouraged them to actively participate. Sopheara smiles and shares, “I usually get a lot of tokens for my rights answers. In school, there is also a session on HIV and AIDS where other students and I learn more, allowing us better understanding of HIV and AIDs. I always share with family and friends what I have learned.”
Sopheara adds, “I once thought I just want to get the tokens so I tried to answer the questions during the trainings. But after learning lots about HIV and AIDS I gained more because I am able to advise and educate others especially my friends to clearly understand HIV and AIDS.”
Sopheara smiles as she affirms, “I also read books to learn more about HIV and AIDS, how to protect one’s self and the ways that this virus would transmit and not transmit from one person to another.”
Part of her campaign is to discourage her mother and relatives to have their nails cleaned at beauty parlors because it is not safe and use their own cleaning equipment instead.
An outstanding student, Sopheara has now become an active advocate on HIV and AIDS awareness. She and her parents’ dream of her becoming a doctor to cure the sick She recalls, “I always advise my siblings and my friends not to go into drugs as the risk is very high. I encourage them to study hard to have a better life.”
“I am really keen to see a world without HIV and AIDS. I wish I can persuade all people to steer away from vices and live safely,” proudly says Sopheara.
Complex as it is, she had misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. She says, “I was really scared of HIV and AIDS, even just hearing the word. I do not want to see or get to know an HIV and AIDS-afflicted person. I was afraid I might get infected even by talking to and being near them. I always prayed hard to be free from this virus.”
Sopheara’s family members also have the same sentiment. If they see someone skinny, they judge that with the person has HIV and AIDS.
Because of the misunderstanding, Sopheara even had nightmares having and dying of the virus. Scared, she thought it can destroy people’s lives and she has nowhere to go.
This perception changed when Sopheara joined the HIV and AIDS awareness-raising activities in her village led by World Vision. The activities educated the community about the disease and encouraged them to actively participate. Sopheara smiles and shares, “I usually get a lot of tokens for my rights answers. In school, there is also a session on HIV and AIDS where other students and I learn more, allowing us better understanding of HIV and AIDs. I always share with family and friends what I have learned.”
Sopheara adds, “I once thought I just want to get the tokens so I tried to answer the questions during the trainings. But after learning lots about HIV and AIDS I gained more because I am able to advise and educate others especially my friends to clearly understand HIV and AIDS.”
Sopheara smiles as she affirms, “I also read books to learn more about HIV and AIDS, how to protect one’s self and the ways that this virus would transmit and not transmit from one person to another.”
Part of her campaign is to discourage her mother and relatives to have their nails cleaned at beauty parlors because it is not safe and use their own cleaning equipment instead.
An outstanding student, Sopheara has now become an active advocate on HIV and AIDS awareness. She and her parents’ dream of her becoming a doctor to cure the sick She recalls, “I always advise my siblings and my friends not to go into drugs as the risk is very high. I encourage them to study hard to have a better life.”
“I am really keen to see a world without HIV and AIDS. I wish I can persuade all people to steer away from vices and live safely,” proudly says Sopheara.
-Ends-
No comments:
Post a Comment