So, who want to put on a condom?

20 youth at one of the public schools in Patan paid more than expected attention at this days HIV orientation.

Emil, my co-delegate, has the main responsibility for the orientations related to HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted diseases and he did a great job making the youths understand both how it transmitts and how to protect yourself. In Nepal, about 1,600 cases of AIDS are documented and 10,546 persons with HIV infections. UNAIDS estimates that approximately 75,000 people in Nepal are HIV-positive, but due to stigma and discrimination and lack of knowledge, they either do not seek counseling or go to a doctor to check out their symptoms. One of the important jobs Nepal Red Cross does, and what we as Youth Delegates can assist them with, is spreading information and focusing on protection in everyday life.

And then it was my turn. This was my first condom demonstration ever, and I was quite nervous. But I think the participants in the orientation was even more nervous then me in the beginning, and after a while, we all relaxed. They were between 17 and 21 years old and right in the middle of our target group as the biggest group in risk of being affected by the HIV-virus. And after some giggling, they were very eager to try for themselves.