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Published: April 14th 2007
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We've just started our third week at the camp. As it turned out, this will be my first full week of work, as the Easter holiday weekend cut short weeks one and two. I really feel that a month is not enough time and wish that I had been able to afford to stay for three. Next time!
I am really enjoying my projects, and despite various problems we have encountered, I still believe that when carried out properly and efficiently, the projects are worthwhile and can make a difference to the Buduburam community. I am particularly enjoying working with the HIV/AIDS department. Led by Victoria, Beatrice and Abendego, the purpose of the Community Outreach part of the programme is to educate the refugees about HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, how these are transmitted and what they can do to protect themselves. We also talk about stigmatisation and emphasise that those with HIV still need love, support, a roof over their heads and food to eat. Too often those with HIV find themselves shunned by the rest of the community, due to the mistaken belief that others will catch the virus through living alongside them. We do Community
Outreach in the mornings, walking through the camp, zone by zone, finding groups to talk to. We also do a demonstration of how to use a condom correctly using a rubber penis. When the guys see a white girl showing them how to use a condom, their eyes usually pop out of their heads. But still, at least you know you have their attention and they are listening to you!
I always come away from the Outreach feeling positive, as many of the refugees seem genuinely interested and receptive to what we are saying. We have group discussions (which can get interesting when the group you are talking to is a large group of men) and people ask a lot of questions. It's such a valuable project as the prevalence of HIV/AIDS on camp is far far too high.
The second part of the HIV programme is Care and Support. We go out in the afternoons to either Victoria, Beatrice or Abendego's house where we met one of the 'clients', a person who is HIV positive. I have only done Care and Support once so far, as often clients feel too ill to see us. The aim is
HIV/AIDS outreach
We went door-to-door educating the refugees about HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. to spend time with clients, keep them company, and to help them prepare food and look after families. Usually these clients have nowhere to live and so find themselves sleeping in a different place every night. The client I met was a quiet, gentle, and eloquent 24 year old who loves to write and perform rap music, has lived in the camp for four years, has tattoos on his arms which his beloved grandmother gave to him when he was nine years old, and has been shunned by his family and friends in Liberia because four years ago he found out he was HIV positive. He told us that he is trying to stay well but as he has nowhere to live and nothing to eat, this is difficult. I enjoyed his company and we spent a nice hour or two chatting and laughing.
Then, towards the end of our time with him, he looked up at us hopefully and said "So when will you give me money for rent?" Apparently, unbeknownst to us, this used to be one of the main reasons for Care and Support - IVs would donate enough money for six months rent to the
Press Club
Debbie and I with Harrison and the girls. clients. Sadly, he had been led to believe that we would be doing this. As much as I wish I did, I simply don't have that kind of money, and even if I could pay his, next week I'll be going to another client, am I expected to pay their rent as well?
I'm thinking that I might do some kind of fundraising activity when I get home to try and raise money for the HIV clients. They have no financial support from the programme and unfortunately for reasons unknown to us, none of our programme costs go towards the Care and Support prgramme.
Rich man's world
This is an aspect of volunteering that is very difficult to cope with. However much of your time and effort you give, the fact is that what these people really need is money. Last week a school teacher asked me for $2000 so he could go to university to fulfull his dream of working in a bank. The week before a 15 year old who we think may be working as a prostitute, asked me for money to start up a business (although she has received endless donations before
and has wasted all the money). On Friday a pregnant woman asked me for money to set up a business as she is desperate to be given that chance. We have been warned that some of the requests are genuine, some are not. How can you tell? How do you say no, even though you can't afford to say yes? If you give too much, does it encourage a dependnecy on IVs that can never be sustainable long term?
I've been thinking about who I want to donate to. I'm meeting with the pregnant woman this evening to talk about her plans, how much she'll need (she estimated the equivalent of 20 pounds. 20 pounds!) and how she will set up the business. If I think she is genuine I'll help her.
Other projects
I am also working with the Press Club, a group of young teenagers who come together once a week to learn to read, write, gather news stories and speak in public. Their tutor Harrison is keen to encourage journalistic and comunication skills. I think this is a great programme. I had the idea to build a relationship between the Press Club and the camp newspaper
The Vision . We had a meeting with the paper's adminstraotr and secretary and I suggested to them that they include a children's section in each monthly edition of the paper. I argued that as half of the camp are children, they should be given a voice. The section could have poems, news stories, letters, photographs, community issues... It would give the children something to aspire to, and something to be proud of. Imagine how excited they would be seeing their work in print! It would also showcase the children's talents and encourage other kids to develop their own skills. We also suggested that the editor, or one of the journalists do talks with the children at the various camp schools to build that relationship. It's something I'm really passionate about and I hope will happen. The guys at
The Vision said they will put forward the recommendation at the next editorial meeting. I'm hopeful!
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