WINDHOEK– Positive Vibes in collaboration with the Philip Wetu film have trained nine facilitators to educate the nation on HIV and AIDS through a film, an initiative funded by Gesellschaft Fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The original story of Philip Wetu was developed by the Multisectoral HIV and Aids Response Programme of GIZ, which is funded by the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Nawalife Trust, United States of America’s President Emergency Programme for AIDS Response (PEPFAR) and the Goethe Centre were also involved in the development of the film.
The film has been published in two different formats, a film and comic to be used as education material in different settings. It is an innovative and interactive way to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, and to actively involve audiences in the decision making process. “The film features a young man Philip Wetu who has multiple sexual partners. So the project was made to inspire males to make the right decision on HIV, as they tend to think it is fine for a guy to have more than one partner,” says Inatu Indongo, one of the facilitators who recently had a workshop with Grade 10 learners from different schools at the Katutura Youth Centre.She presented the Philip Wetu film to the learners and had an open discussion with them on how they understand the film and if they got any message from the film.
Indongo says the project targets young man aged 17 to 45, “this is so because men think its fine to have more than one partner,” she commends adding that the nine facilitators have been trained to go and invite community member to watch the film and have an open discussion with them on what they think about the film and if they get any message from it. These facilitators are based in Oshana, Ohangwena, Erongo and Khomas regions. “We are planning to reach as many youth as we can,” she says. Annegret Janabi, counselor for development cooperation in the German Embassy,says it is good to see that many young people in Namibia are interested in learning more about HIV and AIDS by taking time on a Friday afternoon to learn about an epidemic which is affecting so many people in Namibia.
By Sabina Elago