The first of December means that today it is World Aids Day. It is an opportunity for people to come together, support people which are affected by HIV and commemorate people who have died. Since 1988, World AIDS Day is organized, making this the 26th edition. UN AIDS estimates that in Burundi, around 83.000 people live with HIV. Around 18.000 children between the ages of 0 and 14 are HIV positive. Weve already posted some pictures last week about the AIDS Alliance visit to Burundi. The Aids Alliance has initiated the Link-Up project, with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of its supporters. The Link-Up project aims to empower HIV-infected young men and women. Below a short personal story of Pacifique, a young Burundian man who is HIV positive and feels supported by the youth centre RSJ+ in Bujumbura, founded for people living with HIV. The services that RNJ+ provides, equip young people with the information they need to make their own decisions. With more than half of Burundi’s population under age 17, it’s no surprise the youth centre is a popular place, and because of Burundi’s young population, it’s essential to reach adolescents to prevent HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Young people attending all have their stories to tell, from being abused at home due to being gay, to having children at an early age due to a lack of family planning advice. The space itself cannot be underestimated. One member, Pacfique, 20, can testify to this. Pacifique was born with HIV, which he found out when he was 10 years old. “When I first found out I was HIV positive I thought I was someone who won’t live for very long. I thought I was about to die so there was no need to seek out anything. I thought I couldn’t even get married, I was just here waiting for my death.” “I was very surprised when I first came to RNJ+ because I found very beautiful girls and handsome boys. The people ‘shined’, so I thought it must only be me who is living with HIV.” When Pacifique realised he was among peers, he began to open up for the first time in his life and “I felt I could share everything.” So what may look like just table football actually symbolises acceptance and informal emotional support which has a very real impact on individual’s lives. “RNJ+ is my second family. It’s where I can meet young people who share the same views, who have the same way of seeing the world, and they’re the ones who support me,” says Pacifique.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:42:14 +0000