HIV testing at Kikaaya Vocational school

This Wednesday a crew of nurses, one doctor, and a counselor arrived at Kikaaya Vocational with the intent to perform free HIV tests as well as give an informative educational seminar. They spoke in shy whispers as they introduced themselves. The murmurs from the students nearly drowned them out. A young man named Victor led the show. Starting with definitions, modes of transmitting, and what the test meant and what could be done after testing positive. Condoms were promoted but sadly not passed out. He had left them at the hospital. Oh well, I'll try to be able to pass out more at another time. He attempted to rally the students but he was also speaking quite rapidly and drawing triangles on the chalkboard that where meant to be symbols for...everything he was saying. He was obviously dedicated and educated but not clear or very organized. Okay, okay I am a little critical but I was watching the students' attention span run out before my eyes. What really mattered today was that this testing was free, there would be counseling offered and that was just awesome!

The testing operation in full swing.

Ms. Renee freshly tested and awaiting her results.

Fear shone in many students' eyes. Not only where they afraid of the results, they feared the needle. They were so certain of excruciating pain that indeed they got just that. I tried to explain that if they were tense and focused on the needle entering their vein it would hurt but if they relaxed and looked the other way, they'd barely feel it. This only worked for some. I mean some students were entirely stoic, they barely blinked. I saw some in near tears, and one looked near fainting. Poor kids. I think what shocked them the most was Brian and I getting tested and, as one teacher put it, "offering our arms like it was nothing at all." Well, it really is nothing but it's hard to explain that the pain is all in their heads. I think it helped some of them to gather the courage to take the test. After all we are teachers.
The nurses were set up at the motor vehicles theory classroom. I only wish it had been a clean, sterile environment but hey you work with what you have. Thankfully, the syringes were clean and sterile, freshly opened for each person. Just in case anyone was wondering.

Leonard, one of the student leaders, offers up his arm for testing.

Renee attempts to comfort one of the students with a fear of needles.

Afterwards, the nurses set up little stations to give results and counsel anyone with questions. those who may have tested positive are entitled to free HIV drugs at their hospital. All they have to pay is transportation. I am thinking of offering those who cannot afford those costs, the fare.
Well, about 70 students and teachers took the test,about 1/3 of the students at the vocational school. The group plans on returning in the near future to test the secondary students and hopefully the students who were either away on industrial training or just too afraid the first time. Plus a lot can happen during the window period of HIV exposure.

Result slips indicating that we are HIV free.

Well, that's about the day, it was a success and I hope more kids will be willing to test and take more precautionary measures in the future.