VCT Day (1)

Another celebration or commemoration day I hear you cry! I too did the same but this was the first one directly relevant to the HIV and AIDS work that I am involved in here in Zambia. It was also much more stressful than the others so far, as I took on the lead responsibility for ensuring that all the VCT activities in Mazabuka took place. The stress came from numerous broken promises, people not turning up for meetings, or in one case a scheduled meeting not taking place at all (only two out of 20 people turned up). Ensuring the continuity of people was a major headache as the right organisation would be represented but just with different people at each meeting; with no communication by them between meetings. So no matter how inclusive we tried to be a small group of committed people got things done – to whom I was very grateful.

VCT stands for ‘Voluntary Counselling and Testing’ and the day itself is held every year on 30th June with the weeks around the day meant to raise the profile of VCT through radio programmes, various marketing and publicity, and an increased amount of testing being carried out. On the day itself we marched proudly through town with the Salvation Army band making as much noise as possible so that people came out of their shops and businesses to see what was going on. There was the usual salute to the Mayor and other invited guests before we settled down at a local sports field for various activities. This included some good sketches and drama by a couple of local theatre groups all related to VCT. For me, however, the highlights came from the strong messages given out by people living with HIV. First, a woman from one of the rural communities in the district gave a moving poem on HIV and AIDS. This was followed a couple talking about their experiences and then by a band who have written a number of educational based HIV and AIDS songs. And finally we handed out a small number of awards in recognition of four people who are acting as role models to others because of their consistent adherence to taking ART (anti-retroviral therapy) drugs. They are living positive, purposeful lives despite being HIV+.

I too went for test – part of an effort by the organising committee to show that we do more than “talk a good game.” No matter how confident you might feel, and sure about how careful I have been in past relationships, it was still a nerve wracking experience. In a small tent, after all the activities had finished and most people had left, I first had a five minute conversation to discuss why I wanted to have the test, my current relationship status and to give my consent. After a pin prick of blood taken from a finger on my left hand it was then a worrying and sweaty 10 minute wait for my result. I sat down with a counsellor and when she informed me that I was negative the strength returned to my legs and the clarity to my voice. Others around were not so fortunate with tears running down their cheeks as they were told that they were HIV+.