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Thank you to an anonymous donor for a greatly appreciated contribution. Art of Conservation welcomes Club SIDA spokesperson Odile NYIRAGUHIRWA to this week’s classes. SIDA is an acronym for the disease AIDS in various languages, including French (Syndrome d’Immuno Deficience Acquise).
Odile discusses with Shingiro’s adult students information about HIV/AIDS, living with the disease, measures of prevention and family planning. Topics, such as these, may naturally arouse discomfort and embarrassment, but Odile’s open and sincere approach allows for an effective examination of the seriousness at hand.
Opening a discussion with the kids during our weekend classes, Odile begins by asking the questions. She asks them if they see and feel changes in their bodies, do they want to have children when they get older and if they do, how many children do they want to have. She continues with asking how many brothers and sisters do they have in their family. Sheepishly they respond with numbers as high as eight and ten siblings and add they want to have one or two children. Odile warns of misleading and dangerous situations they may face - one of the most egregious being confronted by an adult who attempts to coerce a child into sexual activities.
After Odile finishes her exchange with everyone, we move to our art lesson of the day which is covered in an upcoming blog, please stay tuned! “We love you, Odile!” holler the children as they press out the door at the end of class. For more information on these topics, please click here, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health. Enjoy the day.
6 Comments posted on "Odile: HIV/AIDS Awareness, Family Planning & Personal Hygiene"
Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL on May 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Gosh Julie, these kids are pleading for soap, while here in the states, parents have to plead with their little ones to wash up. Just struck me as being very ironic. Ms. Odile’s approach is refreshing, I can see why these children are so fond of her.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil on May 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Awareness is the key. When the kids answer that they want to have one or two children instead ten or more, this means that consciousness-raising is working very well. Thank you so much Julie for such great job.
julie (Art for Gorillas) on May 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 am
Hi Theresa and Lucia, Thanks for your comments to this post. The students wanted Odile to go on and on with the discussions - me being the scrooge also wanted to get some drawing in in our three hours of class. Odile has come to every AoC class and we will continue asking her to come and share and educate. Communication…a seemingly easy activity…but still remaining so elusive to me here. With sustained peace here in Rwanda, perhaps trust can slowly start to build between neighbors and friends and with this better communication. I hope you have a nice weekend and speak with you again soon.
Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL on May 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
As always Julie, wishing you and the entire wonderful team a happy and safe weekend! Take care, Theresa
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil on May 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hi Julie,
Mary on May 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
It seems to me, Julie, that you are providing your students a conduit for new thinking. Your students share insightful thoughts about how they would like to live and how they would change their current circumstances. Keep doing what you are doing because it is providing a venue for change & growth. Post a comment
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Welcome to Art for Gorillas.
This is Julie Ghrist, director of Art of Conservation (AoC):
Creating a Healthful Connection between People & Mountain Gorillas.
Team AoC includes Valerie Akuredusenge, Eric Mutabazi, and Fahad Ndangiza.
AoC is a partner of Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Inc. (MGVP, Inc.).