Voice 1 Hello. I'm Christy Van Arragon. Voice 2 And I'm Sara Dekoster. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1 Anthony Mgundu lives in Kabuta village, northern Zambia. He is HIV positive. He has the HIV virus that leads to the AIDS disease. His wife died in 1988. It was at that time that Anthony discovered he had the virus. Like many other Africans, Anthony visited a traditional healer, or witch doctor. He spoke to a reporter from a news agency called Panos. Anthony had marks, or scars, on his skin. He showed them to the reporter.
Voice 3 ‘The scars you can see are not what you think. They are not scars from being a criminal. I got them from a witch doctor. The witch doctor used razor blades to cure my virus. He said that if he made scars on my body, it would only take three months for me to be healed. They were badly done. So they will never heal.' Voice 2 The witch doctor cut Anthony's skin. He told him that this would cure the virus. But Anthony now knows that this is not true. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. But, there are drugs that can help - antiretroviral drugs, or ‘ARVs'. ARV's slow down the spread of HIV in the body. ARV drugs can extend life for someone with HIV/AIDS. But ARV drugs cost a lot of money. However, Anthony was lucky. Anthony received help to get the treatment. The help came from MSF. MSF is an aid organisation. It is a group of doctors. They work in countries all over the world. Anthony says that ARV treatment has greatly improved his life. But he still has the scars from the witch doctor. These marks will always be there. But he does not think about this now. He says, Voice 3 ‘They were badly done. The scars will never heal. Anyway I have the hope of the ARVs now. So there is no need for me to speak badly of the witch doctor. But I think it is better to stay away from such people'. Voice 1 Anthony is not the only person with experiences like this. Traditional healing methods and customs are deep set in many African tribes. FamCare is a Christian care group in Zambia. The group works with communities suffering from HIV/AIDS. Thomas Lumba and his wife began this work in 1995. They live in the FamCare centre in Ndola, Zambia. Thomas Lumba is also a trained Church minister - a Reverend. We asked him about some of the traditional beliefs and customs that affect the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Voice 2 Some people believe that having sex with a virgin will cure HIV/AIDS. They believe that the ‘pure blood' will clean the infected blood. This is clearly not true. But this false belief has resulted in some terrible crimes. Infected men have forced young women in their family to have sex with them. This does not cure the men. It simply passes the virus to the young girls. Reverend Lumba said, Voice 4 'I do not know where people get these ideas. They say that when your blood is contaminated the only way to clean it is to have sex with a virgin. The evil that has come from this is the abuse of small girls by uncles, parents, fathers. I hate it that this is the advice that they are getting from the witch doctors. Thank God the government is now passing severe laws on these offenders'. Voice 1 In Zambia and surrounding countries, sexual cleansing, or cleaning, is part of some tribal traditions. When a woman's husband dies, she may take part in a cleansing ceremony. This involves the woman having sex with one of her husband's relations. The people believe that this ‘cleanses' her. They believe it stops the dead man's spirit bringing harm to the woman and others. In these ceremonies, people do not usually consider the risk of HIV infection. Women's groups are working to stop sexual cleansing acts. They want parliament to pass laws banning such activities.
Voice 2 Monica Nsofu is a health worker in the Monze area of Southern Zambia. She said, Voice 5 ‘It is very difficult to end something that has happened for so long. We learn this teaching when we are young. People ask, "Why should we change?"' Voice 1 Monica and other AIDS workers know why. Reports state that one in five adults in Zambia are now infected with the HIV virus. Women's group YWCA has persuaded some people to change their behaviour. The group encourage different cleansing methods - such as using plants and roots. And local leaders have warned people about the dangers of sexual cleansing. But a recent study* showed that the cleansing acts still happen.
Voice 2 FamCare is also working to change people's behaviour. They encourage people to use the ‘ABC method' to avoid HIV/AIDS. The letters represent the words, A bstain, B e faithful and C ondom use. They encourage people to firstly abstain from sex until they are married - that is to not have sex before marriage. After marriage, they should be faithful to each other. And finally, if people choose to have sex the message says, use a condom. These thin protective covers can prevent a person catching HIV. Reverend Lumba says that FamCare is not afraid to speak on this issue. He said, Voice 4 ‘Now is the time to speak openly, biblically and clearly about these matters. It is a God-given responsibility for ministers to teach the truth. Sex is a gift from God. It should only be experienced in marriage. We pray that through FamCare and this Bible teaching, things will change for the better in Zambia.' Voice 1 FamCare also provides care and support for people with HIV/AIDS. They want to develop strong families within communities. They work with aid group International Needs Zambia. Together, they offer a Christian message of hope and an example of love. Reverend Lumba said, Voice 4 ‘There are many non-government organisations involved these days. And we thank God for them. But what about the Church? We cannot remain detached while millions die. We have to get involved. AIDS patients go through a whole mix of emotions., They are searching for acceptance, as they face death. They try to find meaning to both their life and their death. We must not teach a message of judgement and condemnnation. But we must teach and show by example. Our message is one of love and hope found only in Jesus Christ.' Voice 2 HIV/AIDS related deaths continue. Issues of poverty and injustice are deep set. But, Reverened Lumba is still hopeful about the future. People are more open about HIV/AIDS today. Education has increased. Many young people are getting the message. Reverend Lumba's prayer is that other countries will listen to the cry of Zambians. He hopes together, people can fight the disease that threatens the human race.
Voice 1 The writer and prodcuer of today's programme was Marina Santee. The voices you heard were from the United Kingdom and the United States. Computer users can hear our programmes on our website at www.radio.english.net. This programme is called, ‘African Myths' *This study was from the organisation 'Women and Law in Southern Africa'.
