In the backdrop of the state government shutting off power in town to force people to attend a town hall (the governor encouraged Internally Displaced People - IDP's - to return home) .... and the national government threatening to throw journalists in jail who interview rebels ( those involved in the December 2013 unrest).... students here in Bor, Jonglei are enthusiastically participating in the Project Education South Sudan Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness and Leadership program.
Communication was a bit of a challenge from time to time...my Dinka is not that great! LOL! But Daniel Majok Gai is not only a great translator but he is also great at getting the students engaged. The group is a balanced mix of both boys and girls, ranging in age from 13 to 20, from three different school: Langbaar Modern Academy, Sunlight Primary, Bor College. In all, 28 students right now. John Garang University students will be joining us soon. And, we are excited to have five PESS sponsored girls join us in this program!
Kuei Achiek Ngueny, Akur Ayuen Mayen, Yom Ayor Anyang, Anai Agua Anyang, Deborah Achol Mayen.
We all remember biology classes where we talked about the reproductive system and personal body parts, right? A bit intimidating, even a little embarrassing. That was also true for our South Sudanese students but by the end of the first class they were already game to have lively conversations about gender roles and stereotypes and eager to learn more about female menstruation management.
We also discussed human rights... that both boys and girls, men and women have the same rights.
In fact, one girl said females have the right to play football (soccer). We had to give her a high five for that!
At one point in the training we separated the boys and girls for about an hour as the girls went in to a detailed discussion about menses (with the wonderful support and knowledge of Rebecca Diing Mou, healthcare specialist here in Bor).... while Daniel and David Gai (HIV/AIDS specialist) led the boys in a discussion about gender roles and stereotypes in another classroom.
We showed the girls how to make charts so they can better keep track of their cycles. And by the end of their discussion the boys changed some of their own stereotypes about women.... like the women are weak. Daniel and David explained that when given an opportunity girls and women are as smart, strong and capable as men.
Later in the program the girls will teach the boys about menses.... and we'll have both males and females discuss stigma and discrimination together.
Lunch conversation:
Politics and the crisis from December 2013 is never too far away from the students' minds.
A group of about ten students were having lively conversation, really more like a debate, at lunch time. I sat down next to them and asked what they were talking about as one girl got up and stomped out of the little room. They said they were talking about the violence in December 2013 that rocked the country. Bor ... and the nation's capital, Juba, were at the epicenter.
The upset girl was defending VP Reich Machar's actions.
(background: AJAM - https://archive.org/details/
In spite of their different opinions the students are able to sit in the same classroom and learn. (Good role models for their leaders.)
At then end of this training session Daniel and I showed the students how to make Red Ribbons, a symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness. They'll use these as a conversation starter and get their peers engaged in talking about HIV/AIDS, safe practices, risky behavior, etc. In the coming sessions we'll go deeper in to HIV/AIDS understanding.
And later in the program we'll discuss how to use the ribbons as a fundraising tool for projects.
The headmasters (principals) and teachers are encouraging the students to take advantage of this information and opportunity to learn about HIV/AIDS, leadership and hygiene.
No doubt they are doing that!
Tamara
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