An aggressive campaign distributing material on education, awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS to homes, villages, schools and trade centers.

Girls at Majenjeni Primary

In the villages, a diagnosis of HIV is often a death sentence. The villagers know that HIV/AIDS kills, and there is limited access to medication. Although the Volunteer Counseling and Testing Centre (VCT) in Malindi is named "BETTER OFF KNOWING" Counseling Centre, villagers often do not want to know if they are HIV+. Stories abound concerning people who are so ill they try to end their lives.

During the past six summers, Marlene and the Imani Project volunteers have taught HIV/AIDS education awareness at at thirty-five primary schools in villages and in Malindi. The largest school, Kijiwetanga Primary, has an enrollment of over 2500 students. The HIV/AIDS lesson was taught to 6th, 7th and 8th standard students. Often these students are much older as they have needed to drop out of school to help their families, or because the money for fees and school uniforms was not available. The schools are tremendously overcrowded since, in 2004, the Kenyan government passed a law making public primary education free to every child. We now sees many girls in Primary School, which is very exciting.

The HIV/AIDS lesson taught in schools and villages contains handouts with pictures, since many of the villagers do not read English or Kiswahili. Extensive consultation is done with the teachers to make sure an appropriate level of information is given to the students. The focus is on making healthy choices, encouraging adolescents to think carefully about sexuality. The handouts essentially clarify how HIV/AIDS is spread (unsafe sexual contact, infected body fluid transfer, specifically blood, mother to baby), as well as how it is NOT spread. Often there is confusion as to whether a kiss or a hug can transfer the virus. Children and adults are cautioned against sharing needles, razors, or hair cutting shears or knives.

Adult villagers were given HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention classes which lasted about 3 hours. Classes were held for men and women separately, as the women were much more comfortable talking about sexuality if the men were not present.

HIV/AIDS class for women in Masheheni Village

In Masheheni village, over 250 women came to the class. All received handouts, condoms and a 1 kg. bag of unga or flour. Additionally, they received very specific instructions on how to correctly use a condom. During the classes we gave out thousands of condoms, as well as establishing local condom distribution centers.

The nearest HIV/AIDS testing and counseling center is 8 kilometres away in Malindi town. The villagers do not have the necessary 35 schillings to take a matatu (bus) into town. The Volunteer Counseling and Testing Center in Malindi refers people to Malindi District Hospital if they are HIV+, however without money they will not receive medication or ongoing treatment for secondary infections. Fees may be waived, but this entails a committee meeting, paperwork, and most of all precious time. Villagers have limited access to medical care or medicines.

The ultimate answer to the HIV/AIDS pandemic lies in education and awareness, raising the age of first sexual contact, monogamy, and "zero grazing". However, the immediate solution to the skyrocketing HIV infection rate is the use of condoms. Twenty nine million Africans have already died of HIV/AIDS or related secondary infections. Approximately 25% of the population in Kenya is infected, and most are unaware they carry the virus. In Malindi, a town with a population of 80,000 people, there are 8,000 HIV/AIDS orphans; many are living on the street.

In spite of the tremendous difficulties (poverty, famine, disease) and constant losses, the villagers demonstrate faith, courage, and kindness toward one another. Their spirit is indomitable; they see life as a precious gift and feel grateful for whatever they have. We continually feel humbled by their generosity and faith in one another and their community.

To continue the extremely important work of HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention in the rural villages, the Imani Project needs funding. All donors will receive letters confirming tax deductible status of donation, and a personal note from the Director explaining how the funds were used.