World Aids Day at The Falls Resort
on January 23, 2012World Aids Day March
The counselor, Mary
1 December every year is World Aids Day. This year in Zambia it was marked by marches in all the major towns. Ten years ago this would not have been the case – people were too shy to be seen joining in a march of this kind.
Nowadays, though, things have changed; more and more the people are accepting that Aids is real. If they are not infected themselves they will have a family member or friend who is. Although statistics are not very accurate, it is accepted that a significant percentage of the adult population is infected. It is a frightening fact.
No More Infections
Due to research and innovations, this Aids Day had the theme: No more infections. The hope is that no more people will be infected with the virus. Of course, this is a dream but we must all dream for a better world. This will only happen if the people are educated and taught how to use the medicines and to change their behaviour.
Workshop at Falls Resort
At the Falls Resort in Livingstone they held a workshop for their staff in one of our conference rooms to increase awareness. In the morning the staff were allowed to meet privately with an Aids counselor to discuss any questions they might have. These ranged from coping with a family member who had contracted the virus to how to protect themselves when they started a relationship.
In the afternoon there was a group session where the staff listened to a presentation on Aids. The counselor, Mary, pulled no punches and gave it to them straight. The staff listened quietly, some of them a bit surprised at the facts about Aids which were highlighted. It was definitely an eye-opener; an eye-opener in the fact that Mary was so forthright.
After the presentation the members of staff asked their questions, with everyone joining in with comments and suggestions. It was light-hearted at times but always serious. For Joanne Selby (General Manager), she was impressed with her staff for being so open and candid in their discussions and she knew that they would take the message home to friends and family.
We have to beat this scourge of Aids in our society. It is breaking up families and leaving many children alone in the world. To hear the staff’s discussion during the meeting, at least, they have all the knowledge to stay healthy throughout their lives.
