AJAAH organises students’ debate

By Henry Haukeya

Association for Journalists Against HIV and Aids (AJAAH) recently organised an inter-secondary school Aids debate which was competed for by Blantyre Secondary School and Henry Henderson Institute students.

Under the topic ‘Multiple Concurrent Partnership’ the two teams outsmarted each other in an interesting debate ably coordinated by Malawi Television presenter Geoffrey Kapusa, popularly known as Mr. Splash.

Kapusa threw questions to each of the members of the two teams before engaging the audience, who also offered interesting views on the meaning of ‘Multiple Concurrent partnership’.

The panellists agreed that multiple concurrent partnership is to have more than one sexual partner and this has resulted in most people getting entangled in the cobweb of sexual partners’ network.

The most interesting part of the debate was when Kapusa asked the panelists what they could do when they discover that their partner was cheating on them.

“Dump him and look for another one,”Mhango from BSS responded sending the audience into stitches of laughter.

HHI’s John Mkwanda had contrary views, “Pray for the one who is cheating on you so that he or she should stop such kind of behavior.”

But the most exciting contribution came from the audience where one contributor said as a student the best way was to plan, set goals and work to achieve them.

AJAA also invited a specialist from Malawi Network of Aids Service Organisations MANASO, Ndaona Muyaya, to brief the students on the dangers of indulging in early sexual activities.
Muyaya took the students through a session of life skills.

“One life, One goal, One family” was the theme of his talk.

Muyaya told the students that any human being has one life to live and one family and need to have one goal.

He said life is about choices and advised them to make right choices.

“Choices you make today will spell out what you will become in future…Make choices that will make you realise your goals and aspirations,” Muyaya said amid handclapping from the students.

“You must also be prepared to face challenges of the choices that you make,” Muyaya said.
His parting words left the students in stitches as he said, “Please take care of your uncle’s property. Don’t give it out anyhow, for the best gift you can give your partner is your virginity”

AJAAH Chairperson Rex Chikoko said he was happy with the outcome of the debate being the first to be organised by the group.

He said AJAAH has lined up a number of activities aimed at raising awareness among various groups of the society.

“Students have always been sidelined on awareness because organisations work on assumptions that they are exposed to literature on HIV and Aids,” he said.

Chikoko said he was amazed with the interest that the students expressed in knowing more about HIV and Aids.

“I am encouraged with the response,” said Chikoko adding that the next session will cover issues of abstinence, being faithful and use of condom as demanded by some students.