Youth’s vital role in the fight against AIDS

Jane (not real name) is a 17-year-old beautiful, eloquent and confident girl I met at Amahoro stadium during the launch of the World AIDS Day campaign last week, on December 1st, 2011. She is HIV positive. Jane was born with HIV/AIDS and she has known about her status at the age of twelve. While giving her testimony, Jane seemed like one of those youth that give you the impression that they are destined for a great and fruitful future. Despite her HIV status, she utters out every word with boldness and seems so positive about life. She has come to accept her situation and self-pity is not a part of her. She has hope for the future and not even being HIV positive will stop her from pursuing her dreams. She loves her life, school, and friends—she is happily enjoying her life. Of course, she isn’t happy that she was born with AIDS but she can’t change that. She has to live with it without letting it become an obstacle to all the potential and greatness that lies within her. It was a beautiful feeling to see thousands of youths gather at Amahoro stadium to take part in the launch of the World AIDS Day (WAD) campaign. My only wish was that every one of them realizes how special, valuable and important they are to this nation. Well, if you are lucky enough not to have been born with AIDS, you do not have to catch it now. AIDS is so real and individuals have the power to prevent themselves from getting it. Teenagers are vulnerable and naive as well. For this reason, most men (and a few women) take advantage of this gullibility and deceive young girls into engaging in pre-marital sex. Sometimes, it is not just the big men but fellow age mates. If you are a teenager, your focus should be education, discovering and building your skills. You got a completely beautiful life ahead of you. Sex should be a no go zone for you until marriage. The focus and concentration should be on your books right now. Of course, you can go ahead and have fun. Youths can do a million and one fun things without indulging in sex. We shall delve into those next time though I am quite certain you too have an idea of what to do. Say no to everyone who tries to talk you into sex in your teenagehood.Trust only yourself and understand that that people who try to tell you to sleep around with them, even when they look healthy could be having AIDS and there is no way for you to prove that they don’t. Everything has its time and so does having a sexual relationship with someone. Sex is here and it’s not about to leave. Therefore, there is no need to rush into it. m.kaitesi@yahoo.com