Staff kids get serious?
on January 4, 2010
It went something like this:
Thumbs up, knock knees, bottom out, head to the side, tongue out … dance … The children couldn’t dance because they were laughing so much. And this was how our morning’s training on HIV/AIDS ended.
It had started early that morning when 40 staff children of the Sun International Resort, Livingstone, were ushered into the Conference Room at The Zambezi Sun. The ages of the children ranged from 10 to 16 and they were in for a serious lecture on HIV/AIDS. It didn’t sound too much fun but our staff children are game for anything – they are used to having days out at the hotel.
Sun International had brought in a top HIV/AIDS trainer, Sakala. He was lively, jovial and had a great way with the children. All the serious stuff was hammered home to the children – how you get HIV, the importance of no sex before marriage, ‘one partner’, why people with HIV need support. Even the 10-year-olds were not abashed when talking about sex. For me, it was quite an eye-opener. But I suppose in these days, it has to be like this.
After lunch they returned to the Conference Room. Sakala asked the girls:
What do you do if a boy comes up to you and says: Ah, Sweetie, I’ll give you a cell phone, you are so beautiful, I want to be your husband, I love you, I need you, … Please come to my room …
The girls (and the boys) all shouted NO, NEVER.
Sakala then gave them a quiz: How do you get HIV? Can you get HIV by shaking hands? What does HIV stand for? What does AIDS stand for?
The children were eager to answer all the questions. And they all got them right. And then Sakala decided that they needed a bit of fun. All the children were told to get up from their chairs and come to the front of the conference room. The music was started and then Sakala taught him the dance … knock-knees, and tongues sticking out. It was totally hilarious.
I don’t think they will forget their day out at the hotel, even though the basic message was a very serious one.
3 Responses to Staff kids get serious?
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Simon Mutonyi says:
The article gives good reading. HIV/AIDS information should be given in a more friendly , happy and humorous way and I see this happening in this gathering. Hats off to the Sun peer educators for extending HIV education to children of family members. Keep it up and dont give up.
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David Mwaka says:
Huha we are the champions of the next generation.The aim of sun international in zambia is to have a generation free from AIDS it is possible.Thank you sun international for the support .
It was amazing to know that kids of that age know something concerning HIV/AIDS. I must say it was well co ordinated from the point of transport to meal times. Thumbs up guys as we look forward to the next group!!!!!!