The country of Lesotho has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS (if not the highest) in the world. Part of my job as a PCV in Lesotho is to educate people about AIDS and HIV, which is a topic that is very hushed in this culture. But as an educator of sexually transmitted diseases, I’ve had to learn to talk openly about sex and sex related topics.
One of the methods to prevent the spread of HIV infection is through voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). VMMC is a sterile and effective way that will lessen the risk of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and penile cancer in men. We were given information that indicated the VMMC procedure can lessen the risk of HIV/AIDS by 60%. For women, it also reduces the spread of HPV and cervical cancer. In Basotho culture, one of the traditions that boys undertake before becoming men is attending initiation school – a ritual gathering in the mountains, which includes circumcision. This non medical procedure is not effective in spreading STD’s and also can spread hepatitis and other diseases. The Lesotho government has made the VMMC a free procedure at every medical clinic in the country.
This week at school, the ministry of health (one of the government organizations) sent a representative to talk to the boys about VMMC. During this time, I spoke to the girls about circumcision and sexually transmitted diseases and answered any questions they had about sex. It was a little strange at first, but as girls felt more comfortable asking me questions, I felt more confident in helping them understand how important it is for them to protect themselves from STD’s.
The following day, the ministry of health returned to school to bring boys to the medical clinic to get circumcised. It to me a while to figure out what was going on at school, but classes were cancelled so that boys could get VMMC. Some boys also went the following day because they forgot their permission slips. I secretly find humor in the entire situation – I know who is circumcised and who is not; boys asking their mother’s for permission and going on a school field trip to get circumcised?! But despite the fact classes were cancelled and some students missed my classes, this field trip is a huge positive effort in preventing HIV.
I know that students sense the confidence or lack thereof in teachers and I want them to know that they can come to me with any question or comment. So whether it is talking about sex, condoms, or circumcision, I’m slowly becoming comfortable talking about many more topics than I thought I would ever need to.
This is really interesting. I didn't know about the procedure and I am glad that you are spreading the word about staying as safe as possible when it comes to sex and STDs. I can't even imagine how uncomfortable that conversation would have started, but I am sure that your students respect you and trust you so they probably felt really comfortable really fast!