By Clemence Tashaya
EENHANA – Trainees at the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC) here seem to appreciate the HIV and AIDS awareness presentation that the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) held at the Centre.
A Level 2 trainee in Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Theopolina Ndaitwa, says the presentation is important especially in view of the fact that the Ohangwena region has the highest record of teenage pregnancies in the country. “We need these events on an annual basis since it’s targeting towards us as the youths in the region. Thanks to NTA (National Training Authority) for putting us on calendar this year and we shall take the message from NAPPA seriously,” she says.
During the sensitisation, NAPPA’s Regional Coordinator for the Ohangwena region, Risto Mushongo, expressed deep concern about the rate at which the disease is spreading in the region, saying the situation could get worse if immediate steps are not taken to contain it, especially among the youths. NAPPA extended its sensitisation programmes to the trainees at the Centre when it observed an HIV and AIDS awareness day on Friday. Mushongo spoke at length on the importance of HIV testing, and challenges facing the youths in the region. He urged the EVTC trainees, most young ladies, to choose abstinence instead of using condoms as a way of HIV and AIDS prevention, adding that abstinence remains the best option to prevent the pandemic, especially among the youths and single adults.
“Adopting abstinence gives you a sense of discipline to withstand any sexual temptation that exposes you to the virus. Being trainees whose future is bright, I all urge you to adopt abstinence and faithfulness, which remains the best form of HIV and AIDS prevention for both singles and married couples,” he emphasised.
Series of questions posed by the EVTC trainees were duly answered by Mushongo. He later told Youth Corner that NAPPA would not relent in its effort to spread the message of abstinence among the youths, who he said were the country’s future leaders. “The common mistake an individual can make is to be sexually active with one partner, break up with an individual and then immediately become active with another even if it is months after the last sexual event. Not being tested between partners has led to a wildfire effect that has led to individuals being infected with the deadly HIV,” he said.
NAPPA, Mushongo added, would organise similar events and open days in youths dominated environments such as tertiary institutions across the country until its message of abstinence and faithfulness gains root in the Namibian society. The EVTC AIDS awareness day was attended by the Centre’s management, staff and trainees.