Tune in to ERA.fm and you will hear the voice of Aiman, a 5-year-old kid talking about his 5-year-old friend, Arif. Arif was H I V+ (it was not mentioned how he got it). Aiman was totally okay about it - "Aiman tak kisah".. He played with Arif.. helped him.. hang out with him.. etc etc. Such a wonderful kid, this Aiman. What an exemplary act for one so young.
Okay.. so let's get real here. Honestly, how many 5-year-old kids out there know what H I V is all about? I can just imagine the parents explaining to their children about H I V.
"Look, son (or daughter).. H I V stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is basically a virus that attacks and breaks down the body's immune system - the 'internal defense force' that fights off infections and disease. When the immune system becomes weak, we lose our protection against illness and can develop serious, often life-threatening, infections and cancers. Basically it's dangerous.. but you will not get infected even if you played with your friend who is H I V+."
Wow.. imagine that!!
The second part of the "community service" was a male adult blabbing about A I D S.. which does not spread through touch. If a small kid like Aiman does not discriminate his friend who was H I V+, then why should you?
Okay.. so the idea is good, and I applaud ERA.fm for promoting an awareness on H I V and A I D S. But the thing I don't like about this particular "community service" is that it is talking about 2 (two!) separate issues, which, if you think about it, can cause a big misunderstanding to the community. The impact can be quite devastating. What issues, you might ask. Aren't H I V and A I D S the same? Surprise surprise.. they are not. Just look at their definitions:
H I V: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A I D S: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
It's pretty clear that H I V is a virus, and A I D S is a disease. They are related, yes but they are NOT the same. People who are H I V+ can still live a healthy lifestyle. Much like people who have Hepatitis B virus can still live like normal healthy people. If an H I V+ person does not take good care of himself, then there's a high probability that he will get A I D S.
And that is how they are related (you may correct me if I'm wrong here).
So how devastating can this misleading "community service" be?
Imagine you are H I V+. You have been educated that even though you are positive, it's nothing to worry about, as long as you take good care of yourself. Lead a healthy lifestyle.. watch what you eat.. exercise.. etc etc. Then you hang out with people. Accidentally, some of them found out you are H I V+. Words will get around and more people will know. If these people are misinformed about H I V / A I D S, it's highly likely that you will be shunned, discriminated against, even bullied by these people. How would you feel then? This will definitely affect your job, your self-esteem, and eventually, your life.
Now, is that devastating enough or not?
Okay.. so let's get real here. Honestly, how many 5-year-old kids out there know what H I V is all about? I can just imagine the parents explaining to their children about H I V.
"Look, son (or daughter).. H I V stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is basically a virus that attacks and breaks down the body's immune system - the 'internal defense force' that fights off infections and disease. When the immune system becomes weak, we lose our protection against illness and can develop serious, often life-threatening, infections and cancers. Basically it's dangerous.. but you will not get infected even if you played with your friend who is H I V+."
Wow.. imagine that!!
The second part of the "community service" was a male adult blabbing about A I D S.. which does not spread through touch. If a small kid like Aiman does not discriminate his friend who was H I V+, then why should you?
Okay.. so the idea is good, and I applaud ERA.fm for promoting an awareness on H I V and A I D S. But the thing I don't like about this particular "community service" is that it is talking about 2 (two!) separate issues, which, if you think about it, can cause a big misunderstanding to the community. The impact can be quite devastating. What issues, you might ask. Aren't H I V and A I D S the same? Surprise surprise.. they are not. Just look at their definitions:
H I V: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
A I D S: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
It's pretty clear that H I V is a virus, and A I D S is a disease. They are related, yes but they are NOT the same. People who are H I V+ can still live a healthy lifestyle. Much like people who have Hepatitis B virus can still live like normal healthy people. If an H I V+ person does not take good care of himself, then there's a high probability that he will get A I D S.
And that is how they are related (you may correct me if I'm wrong here).
So how devastating can this misleading "community service" be?
Imagine you are H I V+. You have been educated that even though you are positive, it's nothing to worry about, as long as you take good care of yourself. Lead a healthy lifestyle.. watch what you eat.. exercise.. etc etc. Then you hang out with people. Accidentally, some of them found out you are H I V+. Words will get around and more people will know. If these people are misinformed about H I V / A I D S, it's highly likely that you will be shunned, discriminated against, even bullied by these people. How would you feel then? This will definitely affect your job, your self-esteem, and eventually, your life.
Now, is that devastating enough or not?
