Kicking Aids Out

Over 2,000,000 African’s die from the HIV/AIDS virus every year and 7.3% of the population of the continent between 15 and 49 are infected by it.

This startling statistics seriously hampers Zambia’s progression as a nation, currently the world’s 8th poorest country. Only 46% of the young population of Zambia have a comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and there are currently around 710,000 AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Kicking Aids Out is an African organisation which aims to raise the awareness of the dangers of unprotected sex. Both Lusaka based Sport NGOs EduSport and Sport In Action are part of the network which help deliver the message of Kicking Aids Out.

From the 3rd to the 6th of July, EduSport was helping its peer leaders gain their level one qualification to educate young people about the virus. EduSport staff Paul Zulu and Klevin Chasauka held the workshop at Bauleni to over 20 peer leaders who will use the knowledge gained to good effect.

Klevin Chasauka said “Most the people are cornerstones of their communities and they will take this knowledge gained to a higher level for the benefit of many”.

The peer leaders were taught about the prevention of HIV/AIDS through the practice of abstinence and the use of protection along with the best way to deliver the knowledge they had gained over the four days.

One of the attending peer leaders, Christian, said “Since I came here to attend Kicking Aids Out Level One, I feel I will be able to coach the knowledge I have gained at the workshops”.

The objective of Kicking Aids Out is that knowledge will be passed down through communities to young people who will in turn teach and educate other young people about the dangers of unprotected sex and the transference of the HIV virus.