Don Bosco Life Choices Program: A reflection
Kenya released the ‘Kenya Aids Indicator Survey (KAIS)’ on 29th July 2009. On 30th July 2009, the Daily Nation ran this heading; ‘Kenya losing the fight against HIV after all, experts warn’.
For any program implementing HIV/AIDS prevention activities this statement was alarming. A few questions come to mind. Is our work in vain? Are those statistics correct? Is HIV/AIDS going to wipe out the human race? We in Life Choices decided to ask our beneficiaries to tell us what benefits they derived from the program. Their testimonies are stated in a few selected case studies presented here. The actual names of the respondents are not indicated to protect their privacy.
‘Major is a 24 year young man living in one of the villages of Iveti hills in Machakos. He was hooked to taking and peddling bhang and kuber, drugs commonly used by the youth. He was recruited into ‘The Rescue Group’ a group started by Life Choices peer educators to support drug users in the area. After attending group and one on one counseling for over six months, Major has changed his behaviour and has been accepted back into his family. He started growing vegetables on the small family shamba and later got a job in one of the towns. He is now able to support himself and his parents.’ ‘Jennifer a daughter of a single mother is in one of the secondary schools where Life Choices conducts outreach. The relationship between mother and daughter has been poor resulting in Jennifer’s low esteem and poor performance in school. She has been living with her grandmother. The teachers referred Jennifer to the Lie Choices trainer for counseling. After a series of encounters over a period of five months, Jennifer is reconciled to her mother and they are living together, her grades have improved and she is now a leader of one of the movements in the school’.
‘I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the work you have been doing in our school. We have noted the tremendous changes in the pupils you attend to. “I have observed pupils’ participation and zeal in the life skills lesson. It is encouraging to see class four pupils getting ready for your lesson without wasting time. Their discipline during your lesson is commendable. I highly appreciate the way you encourage them to participate and have passion for your lesson.”
“I appreciate the participatory methods you use in your lessons. When I apply them, teaching becomes fun. I have had a different perception of the teacher-pupil relationship since adopting these teaching methods.” May the good work that you are doing be fruitful and the cordial relations we enjoy in the staff-room grow stronger….. ` (Lydia Murigi, Kimorori primary school, Makuyu)
On reflection as a program and based on the evidence of the quoted case studies above, we feel that we are making an impact on the lives of the young people at different levels. National statistics can often overshadow the efforts of minor players as in the case of KAIS 2008 in relation to HIV prevention. Any individual Choice assist to live a better life which consequently contributes to HIV prevention, is a big victory for us.
Perpetua Waweru
