HIV/AIDS training makes it real

We had a delightfully incident free journey up from Cork to the fabulous setting of the Glencree centre in Wicklow for the HIV/AIDS training with Mike from YCare. The session started at 2pm and the relaxed setting of the training room really allowed some great sharing of information and views. There were presentations on statistics, personal stories, debates on issues of the availability of condoms and the use of advertising to educate people, as well as much discussion of the stigma attached to the virus. For me, knowing a fair bit about HIV/AIDS and having visited Zambia and seen first hand the effect of HIV I wondered what i might learn from the training. At this half way point i am already more informed. The drama done by half our group really added an additional human dimension to my feelings on the issue;specifically, the complex and varied implications on their lives and those close to them. It was also eye opening to have the cases focus on situations here on our doorstep, rather than the more common examples from the Global South. We identified that we thought Education and Awareness hold the key to combatting the spread of HIV; millions of people are at risk from this pandemic and together we need to find a way to do it, both in Ireland and around the world.