Windhoek — Kwaito artist, The Dogg, is urging parents to teach their children about HIV/AIDS from an early age so that they are equipped to deal with the effects and the way it might possibly affect them in future.
The Dogg and Gazza were two of the celebrity guests among other guests at St Joseph's Roman Catholic High School, also known as Döbra, northeast of Windhoek last week. "Parents are scared to tell their kids about AIDS but this should stop.
If they don't know about it, then how will they deal with it in the future? Life is in your (children's) hands because you don't know when they are going to die and if they do, who will you be left with to take care of you?"
"Listen very carefully; at the end of the day it's your life and when you end up in a bad situation, you will wish you had paid more attention to your health and lifestyle! Don't be forced to do something you are not ready for. You must abstain, say no to peer pressure and stay away from alcohol because when you're under the influence, you are not thinking 100 percent clearly," he said.
"I really don't want anybody here to have kids at an early age and then leave them orphans because of AIDS.
A lot of people are dying young so you need to know that it begins with you. Change how you think toward HIV because together our future is bright and I know you can make it if you are all focused," he said.
The Dogg gave an account of how he was affected by the endemic as his parents passed away in the early stages of his life. "Both my parents died of HIV and AIDS when I was young. My father passed away in 1992 when I was seven and my mother in 1995.
People never really spoke the truth to me. In rural areas people don't speak about AIDS. Instead they said my parents had passed away with malaria," said the artist also known by some as 'Mr Skeleton.'
The day before, another Kwaito artist, Gazza, also motivated the learners.
"I extend my gratitude to the invitation extended to me as HIV and AIDS is something that can neither be fought nor faced alone. It's something the nation as a whole needs to fight together!" "It (AIDS) does not discriminate and it doesn't matter how wealthy or popular you are. Peer pressure influences youngsters since everyone wants to fit in and be 'cool.' This is bad and you end up doing things that are wrong, like taking alcohol which can lead to people indulging in unprotected sex and intake or use of drugs," added Gazza.
Claudia Namises of the Orlindi Place of Safety shed light on HIV and AIDS-related success stories at the event themed The Solution is From All of Us; Zero HIV Infection for 21st Century. "A child was born HIV/AIDS positive and her mother passed away while her father was no where to be found. She came to stay with us from grade 8 and despite all the challenges she faced; she completed her grade 12 in 2006. Now, she is doing her teaching degree at a teacher training college," she said. Namises, who is a caregiver of infected and uninfected vulnerable children, said the school in encouraging scholars to be aware, was doing the right thing and lauded the two Kwaito ambassadors, particularly the courage shown by The Dogg, whom she witnessed speaking at the event.
"He (The Dogg) was very encouraging and mentioned that both his parents passed away without an ounce of shame! Why should he be ashamed by the truth? Every house has infected or affected people and we cannot afford to be shy about it. We should not be proud but we must accept it and instead try and focus on change. These types of speeches bring us closer together. To be able to accept and provide a healing factor to other children who find themselves in a similar position," she added.
Döbra Head Girl and event organiser, Rosalia Amupolo, felt her student body learnt a few things on awareness and encouraged parents to empower the youth through knowledge. "We hear that AIDS song everyday and I think many kids, by hearing it from people they know or look up to, such as The Dogg and Gazza, got the message from them and are finally taking it seriously. The fact that we got those people to speak played a role and that basically made a difference.
Many people should be open about it and parents shoudn't hide it from their kids because these things, regardless of whom you are." Scholars in attendance were entertained by performances and poems from other scholars who attempted to shed light on the pandemic.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201207120981.html
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