Trans World Radio has been addressing issues surrounding the HIV/AIDS pandemic since the early 1990s. “The Honey That Kills” set of programmes is a perfect example of TWR’s commitment to the battle against the disease.
Brother Eric Kadenge from TWR-Kenya stated that they have always wanted to do an HIV/AIDS programme in vernacular (local dialect) but it made more sense to start off with English and Swahili languages to reach the entire country. Vernacular programmes were therefore part of their long term goal.
Now an exciting new series is being developed for the Dhuluo and Luo speaking people in Kenya. “The Living Secrets of HIV/AIDS” (“Malingling Mag Ayaki”) will air twice a week thanks to sponsorship raised by TWR's partner in The Netherlands. The reason for this choice is that the Nyanza province (home of the Luo speakers) is one of the areas which is most affected by the virus.
The Luo people are descendants from pre-colonial agricultural and cattle herding communities from western Kenya. Dialects of the Luo language have historic roots across the Lake Victoria region.
According to UNAIDS statistics, 6.1% of Kenyan adults are HIV positive and there are approximately 1.1 million AIDS orphans. A recent study conducted in Kenya by the National AIDS STD Control Programme (NASCOP), showed around 33.3% of girls aged between 15 and 19 years in the western city of Kisumu were HIV positive. These figures can be attributed to the rise of prostitution (which is exacerbated by poverty and illiteracy). Other factors which contribute to the spread of the disease are traditional practices such as wife inheritance and male domination.
The series of 104 fifteen-minute programmes will focus on the following :
- Dealing with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis
- Secrets of dealing with HIV in the family
- Safer ways of disclosing your HIV status
- Abstinence and risky behaviour
- Integration of orphans into families
- Sensitizing people against the traditional practices
- Encouraging health care for AIDS patients at home
- Encouraging families to adopt AIDS orphans into their households.
More vernacular languages will be targeted as soon as funds allow. Let us keep praying for these projects to reach into the homes of those without hope to give them faith in a future with Jesus Christ.
Published 15 May 2008 |
