National Condom week

The week of February 13 is  STI/Condom and pregnancy week in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area. It is also known as "Condom Week." The idea is to capitalize on Valentine's day week to promote safe sex through proper and consistent use of condoms; getting tested for HIV and STIs (Sexually transmitted diseases); encouraging faithfulness and abstinence as a means of avoiding HIV.

The theme this year is "Lead and Unite to strengthen reproductive health." - and the sub theme is "Love me enough to protect me from STI's and unwanted pregnancy."

Various events have been hosted by the ATICC HIV/AIDS Unit, an initiative established by the local metro municipality to collaborate with organizations in the metro and surrounding areas focusing on the HIV/AIDS response. ATICC stands for AIDS Training, Information and Counselling Centre (ATICC)


Yesterday evening, the staff and 7 of our coaches attended a "Trucking Wellness" clinic at the Motherwell truck-stop point*. The idea is to bring awareness and encouragement to truck drivers who are seen as a high risk group as far as HIV contraction goes. The amount of traveling they do exposes them to the temptation of sexual encounters for money. Prostitution is rife in such settings, and an initiative like this aims to promote condom use. Although this is not a demographic GRS normally works with, we were happy to attend and  our coaches led a Skillz activity (Find the Ball) with attendees. There were other activities and messages imparted by other organizations followed by a braai/barbecue for all in attendance.

I want to say the event was beneficial for the handful of truckers that were in attendance, but like all things in life - the real difference is in the heat of the moment when decisions are left to the individual. During the event one of the truck drivers spoke up, thanking the organizations for taking the time to spread the word about condoms to him and his colleagues but he did raise a concern about coverage of such awareness programs. He urged our organization and others to go to smaller towns with the same messages, and events in the interest of all involved. A worthy statement, that I hope was heard and perhaps more will be done to reach more marginalized areas in the country.

* The Trucker Wellness clinic operates under the auspices of the Road Freight Association that provides support services for the road freight industry throughout the country. The representative of the RFA was a guest speaker and he stated the importance of such an event, as HIV/AIDS has negatively impacted an industry that transports 80% of goods in the economy he reminded us.