Close to 150 youth from Nyarugenge District, Friday voluntarily tested for HIV/Aids at an event held at Rafiki Club, Rwezamenyo Sector. The drive was championed by the Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with two local NGOs, Rwanda Child Support Centre and Kigali Hope Association. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Muhammed Habimana (24), one of the youth who undertook the test, said that it was vital to know his HIV status early so that he can cope with a positive or a negative test result. “I have been fearing to go for an HIV test, but this campaign to voluntarily test for the virus has motivated me, and on top of that, many of my colleagues tested as well,” he asserted. During the event, the people who turned up were shown how to prevent themselves from acquiring the virus . Lilian Muhayimana, 20, another youth, said that knowing one is HIV positive also provides an opportunity to plan for the future. “All along I wanted to go for the test, but I had mixed feelings. I feared that I would be diagnosed with HIV. But now that I have been tested, I am going to know my status and plan for my future,” she added. The campaign to voluntarily carry out HIV/Aids testing is part of ‘Week for True Love’ campaign by SSF/HIV Mountain Movers Project under Imbuto Foundation to foster faithfulness among lovers in order to help reduce the risks of new HIV/Aids infections among the youth aged between 15 to 24 years. According to Helene Mukamurara, the SSF/HIV Mountain Movers Project officer, they targeted to test 300 young people from Nyarugenge District, adding that even older people who wanted to undergo the test were allowed. “Our campaign has so far covered 10 districts out of the 12 districts we had targeted. It ends on February 29, “she mentioned. Mukamurara stated that young people have been turning up in large numbers wherever the voluntary testing was being carried out, adding that people are very anxious to know their HIV status. She called upon the residents who turned up not to panic and advised them to go for HIV tests citing that many HIV positive people are living healthy and positive lives. “Those found to be HIV positive will be linked to nearby health centres for counselling services and treatment,” she added. “They (HIV positive people) serve as strong and effective HIV/AIDS advocates and also provide valuable support and motivation for others infected with HIV and affected by the epidemic”. According to Evariste Nkunda, the Director of Health Nyarugenge District, the campaign is part of the district’s 2011/2012 performance contracts (Imihigo). “Of the 50,000 people in Nyarugenge District, 35,000 have tested for the virus. We hope to achieve our target before June,” he said. Xaverine Mukabugingo, the Programme Manager Child Support Centre, pointed out that her organisation does not only focus on supporting vulnerable children in schools, but was also interested in testing young people to know their HIV status. “Knowing one is HIV negative serves as a strong appealing factor to remain negative, mostly for those who may otherwise assume it is too late to adopt safer sexual practices,” she noted. frank.kanyesigye@newtimes.co.rw
