Reality

So reality has definitely set in (which of course happens the day after I blog about having nothing to blog about). Reality in regards to the presence of HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Sure I knew that Botswana had the 2nd highest prevalence rate in the world before coming here and sure I knew that my work would bring me directly in contact with those that are effected by the disease. And while sitting in the clinic day in and day out watching all the young people come in for HIV testing I realized, or so I thought, the impact that HIV/AIDS has on Botswana. This all changed today when I began providing pre and post counseling for those testing for HIV.

Through out the course of the day while meeting with young person after young person 2 things became REAL:

1.Even though the majority of the people testing could tell me the ways that HIV is passed and even though we clearly established that when they tested 3 months ago they were negative and since then haven't put themselves at risk to be infected since then they were still insistent on being tested! The myths and misconceptions about HIV in the community are powerful! Anything from sleeping with a virgin will cure your HIV to being with something at is on treatment will kill you. And so today as they insisted that even though they hadn't participated in any of the risky behaviors they might have contracted HIV some other way...what was I to do, but test them

2.Most of those that tested today either expected to be positive or were "fine" with either result. As I asked them if they had given any thought to the possibility that their test may be positive many responded "well either way it is better to know" "I will be happy with either result" or they just shrugged their shoulders as if to say "I will most likely test positive at some point if not today". I didn't know how to respond, was this a cultural thing where they didn't share their true feelings OR was HIV/AIDS such a common thing in their life, that it really didn't matter whether the test was positive or negative. This really hit home when one women tested positive, she simply looked at the test, said "I am positive, good now I can get treatment while I still can work", thanked me for my help and walked away. My heart broke....I tried to be as brave as her....and realized HIV is real!

Today's experiences got me thinking even more about the government of Botswana's response to HIV/AIDS. Yes they provide free testing for all citizens, free condoms, and free ARVs, but are they really helping curb the spread of HIV/AIDS? But where does one start in a country with the population of 1.7 where 23.9% of the population aged 15-59 is living with HIV, 15.3& of women aged 15-24 are infected, there are over 95,000 AIDS orphans and the government is spending over 203.8 million (USA) on HIV related issues.
That's the REALITY of HIV/AIDS in Botswana and where one starts to prevent, curb, halt, end the transmission of HIV/AIDS I have no idea and unfortunately that is REALITY.