These are not words that I use very often, and it\u2019s\ncertainly not what most CWB volunteers expect to be a key part of the sessions\nthat are delivered in primary schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a previous volunteer, I offered to lead some of the\nsessions focussing on health messaging \u2013 a chance to go a bit deeper than the\nABC&T integrated into the cricket coaching sessions. Using the new material\nproduced by Avert, the time I had with the children was useful to ask some more\ndifficult questions \u2013 questions that most children (and some adults) would find\ntoe-curlingly embarrassing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What worries you about HIV testing? What advice would you\ngive a friend who thought they were HIV positive? These are not straightforward\nquestions and as well as encouraging children to think more freely themselves\nit gave them a chance to voice their own fears away from teachers and parents who\nare reluctant to raise these subjects. Shame, family exclusion and fear of\ndeath are all high on the lists of worries about HIV \u2013 revealing that the\nstigma is still real and emphasising the importance of our inclusive cricket\nsessions. Getting tested and seeking treatment proved to be the top advice that\nthe young people I spoke to would offer to their friends \u2013 it seems as if the\nmessages that we share in our session are being listened to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking with one of our coaches, he shared that there is a\nrise in HIV rates in Kenya because of the cultural stigma that exists around\nthe disease. There is a reluctance of teachers and parents to talk about HIV,\nhow it gets spread and how you can protect yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes me feel that the integrated learning in our cricket sessions is growing in importance. Let\u2019s play cricket, but also let\u2019s talk about sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tanya Boardman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
These are not words that I use very often, and it\u2019s certainly not what most…<\/p>\n