Ma's biggest concern for my African Adventures is the threat of AIDS. Despite my protestations that i haven't come to Africa to shag my way round the continent, she says people may want to spit in my food. Charming!
More than 26,000,000 are infected with AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Every 24 hours some 6500 Africans die from Aids. There are some 42 million orphans from the disease, and in countries like Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo these orphans are likely to be ensnared as child soldiers. Only one in ten Africans have access to anti-retroviral medications.
Collective denial, migration, famine, lack of health care and prevention programmes, and social, religious and cultural factors have all impacted to contribute to the rabid spread of the disease. The Catholic church have undoubtedly played a huge part in this explosion with its complete rejection of the use of condoms. With the vast majority of its victims being young, the cost of these lives being lost have a knock on effect on the economy across the continent.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Yes it is funny what assumptions people make of travellers!
ReplyDeleteI have met people who work with AIDS sufferers in Africa who seem to think that no one in Africa uses a condom, they are wrong,a lot of people in Africa try to be very responsible for their sexual conduct, but tourism sadly has affected and spread AIDS so everyone has to try and behave responsibly which is sometimes easier said than done. However, the impact on Africa is truly horrendous and heartbreaking. I try and help a clinic that tries to help people in Africa who suffer from a wide range of illnesses including malaria but I know there are so many in need it is difficult but a lot of the suffering could be avoided with a more equal society worldwide, so us in the west could do a lot to help.
If you want to help the cinic in Kenya go to Lulu.com and order a book by Helen Jane Austen all royalties go to the clinic.
ReplyDeleteYou had better be careful with those boots you are wearing! Might do more than just spit in your food!
ReplyDelete