Why are you killing us?

AIDS is a huge epidemic in Africa. Furthermore, Uganda has the 10^th highest occurrence in the world, with more than 6% of adults having been identified with AIDS. AIDS is a killer!

AIDS can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, through sexual intercourse, and by blood transfusion. Fortunately, there are several preventative measures that can be made. Currently, in many African countries, an HIV/AIDS test is required before a marriage can take place. The simple act of using protection during intercourse can also prevent the spread of the infection. Ultimately, awareness of the severity and prevalence of the infection will be the most effective measure.

AIDS, AIDS, AIDS

Why are you killing us day and night?

You are leaving orphans all over the world.

AIDS, AIDS, AIDS

Because of you, people drop out of school.

Because of you, families are separated.

Why will you not let us free?

AIDS, AIDS, AIDS

The poem above was being taught to a K2 classroom at St. Jude Orphanage and Nursery School, where I have been interning. The students in this class are all four or five years old. In my opinion, AIDS is a very heavy topic to be teaching to such young children. However, as previously mentioned, it is very important to educate the Ugandan population on the severity of AIDS as a way of prevention. This means starting at the very young age of four. At four, the awareness will only include hearing the name of the infection and understanding that it is bad. As the child grows older, they will begin to learn more about the effects of AIDS, how it is spread, and how it can be prevented.

While many of the children in this class are from the surrounding community, some are also orphans. Many of these orphans may have lost their parents to AIDS, making this awareness even more prominent. 

Facts have been derived from the World Health Organization via a lecture by Justin Hendrix and Amanda Reinke as well as from http://www.avert.org/africa-hiv-aids-statistics.htm.