Day two: Another first - an African talk on AIDS

Despite my gripes with the lack of effectiveness of foreign aid in Mozambique, one group seems to be doing a pretty good job: groups spreading the word about AIDS.

Even though I found myself in the middle of nowhere, a combination of government, missionary and aid work has managed to train up a group of local churchgoers to run 2-hour workshops on AIDS (I had a translator next to me, so I was able to pick up a lot of what was going on).

Overall, it was just like those sex education workshops the school and communities run when we’re at the top end of primary school (wasn’t it Happy Harold the talking giraffe who answered our tough questions?). You had all the men in one corner, giggling to each other after each question (I would’ve joined in, but some of the questions didn’t translate too well…?) and the women in another corner, looking somewhat embarrassed and sitting quietly.

Despite the somewhat basic questions being asked (“What if I don’t like bananas peeled?” / “Can I get AIDS from a condom?” / “What if she won’t wait for me?” / “If I get rich can I still catch aids?” and the like), my mate Patrick (the owner/manager of the lodge) assures me that they are well aware of the science behind sex and AIDS …

… yet, despite the fun/interactive approach of this session (which included an interesting ‘demonstration’), the problem of AIDS is unbelievable; almost epidemic. No one can really know the true number of people infected with AIDS here, estimates range from 17% to 33% … even at the lower end of the scale this is scary. Unfortunately, it appears that whilst information helps, it is not the answer, with African men (in particular) ignoring warnings, for reasons of bravado or laziness. Though with a life expectancy around this area of around 35-40 years old, and sex being cheap or free, I guess I can see where they come from …? If I figured I only had ten more years to live, would I hold back any restraint?

ps Up until now I have only spoken to Africans in English, when they are very reserved and softly spoke. This was actually the first time I listened to an African speaking uninhibited in his/her local language. Africans are REALLY animated when they talk, and use lots of hand gestures (kind of like me, except not as suave …) =)