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| National |
| Mangochi Youths say they don’t use condoms |
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by
Emmanuel Muwamba, 30 July 2004
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15:52:42
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Youths in Mangochi East are still at risk of contacting HIV the virus that causes Aids because they practice unprotected sex despite receiving condoms from government and non governmental organisations (NGOs).
In an interview on Thursday boys from Selemani Village where Movimondo an Italian NGO went to visit a Village Aids Committee (CAC), said they do not use condoms because they are not sure of the need to use them.
Fisherman, Asani Msusa,18, a Standard 3 drop out said he does not know the use of condoms despite receiving them from organisations.
Msusa said he has a girlfriend who is in Standard Seven but he has never used condoms with her.
Another fisherman, Omar Kani, 20, also said he receives condoms but said he has never used them. He did not give any explanation.
Movimondo project manager on HIV/Aids project Slyvia Zacharia said it was hard for her organisation to convince people in the villages on the eastern part of the district to use condoms because of communication problems and some cultural practices.
“People here lack awareness of human rights. They do not know they have a right to life. This is why Movimondo came in to sensitise them on their right to better health and eventually to life. And through our initiatives, some have come to realise that they need to be protected,” she said.
Zacharia said Movimondo decided to implement activities linked to the prevention of HIV/Aids as part of their contribution to try and solve one of the most serious problems affecting the area.
“Movimondo understood that one of the biggest problems in the rea is HIV/Aids which has negatively impacted on the largely agricultural area and forced people to abandon their agricultural activities.”
Village headman Mdoka expressed optimism that Movimondo's efforts will help in curbing the HIV/Aids epidemic.
“The youth here make a lot of money from the sale of fish. They lure girls and in the process, they have unprotected sex which is dangerous to their lives. Right now the youths are changing their behaviour. They get condoms which they used to refuse and I hope they use them though it is done in secret,” said Mdoka the village head.
At Namalaka CAC, Movimondo donated six bicycles to lessen the transport burden and enable the youths clubs to enforce behavioural change among their groups.
Movimondo started its operations in the country in 2000 on food security and land care with support from the European Union.
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