Ministry of Education
Regional AIDS Committee for Education
R
CE-Kunene Region
Welcome to Kunene, by far the most compelling and complex region in Namibia, and also, a most extraordinary study in contrasts. For instance, Kunene is a constant and ever moving ocean of dust and sand, and yet, during its rainy season, this undulating landscape turns into a bed of yellow flowers on a sea of green grass! It boasts of very old indigenous tribes that tourists from all over the world come to see, but then, the lives of the Himba and Zhimba are not so different from our own, if we count family, friends and survival as among our most important concerns. People of this region speak dozens of ancestral languages and dialects and yet, English is the lingua franca. There is a need to keep and celebrate traditional roles and ways of living while, at the very same time, having to accept an ever encroaching modern world.
It is in this multi-cultural and often times inscrutable world that the Kunene Regional AIDS Committee for Education (RACE) finds itself working. HIV and AIDS have changed the faces of every nation and so, too, Namibia, with the fifth highest numbers of HIV infection in the world. One death from AIDS is one too many; but, the Kunene Region has been blessed, so far, with low regional statistics because of the isolation of its tribes and lack, for the most part, of people movement. The inability for most persons to roam about within the region without a 4X4 (an expensive vehicle not easily afforded by people in this very poor part of the country) has lead to relatively low HIV and AIDS numbers. Although we could well argue that because of its expanse, we don't have a clear or accurate picture of HIV infection, published reports show that the percentage of the population infected by HIV in Kunene rests at between 9%-10%, substantially lower than more densely populated areas, such as Walvis Bay and the Caprivi.
Unfortunatley, we are balancing on a decidedly slippery slope: there is the very real possibility of a dam being built on Epupa Falls and too, the development of a new port directly west of Opuwo on the Skeleton Coast. These projects, potential or on-going, have lead to speculations over the need for tens of thousands of workers from all over the world who would work within hours of Kunene and all its interesting peoples... and where there are people, there are relationships, many involving sex, money, poor and marginalized women and under age children and young adults. It is the mission of RACE to educate adults and young persons to the truths about the HI Virus and to help prevent the spread of AIDS; in other words, a mission to keep Kunene alive.
RACE endeavors with the help of many, to:
1) build confidence in young children by helping them envision a wonderful and rewarding future, one that cannot allow for risky behavior that would put an end to their hopes;
2) support young adults, many of whom have few people willing to discuss, in knowledge and understanding, the difficulties they face and the subjects often considered taboo: every conceivable question concerning sex, sexuality and health related issues;
3) help adults accept that AIDS is the only disease in the history of mankind that can be stopped with a decision and that it is theirs to make and
4) assist with kindness and sincere caring, every person, from the very young to the elderly, with questions of illness, death and dying.
In Kunene, RACE partners with the following organizations: the government mandated UNICEF programs, Junior and Senior Windows of Hope (ages 9-14) and the "recognized" programs of Ombetja Yehinga (ages 14-out of school youth), My Future is My Choice (beginning afresh in 2006) and SCORE (Kicking AIDS Out!). RACE also works closely with the American Peace Corps and have had, for the last 12 months, a full time volunteer. In Kunene, Peace Corps has established Girls Clubs, has initiated a Young Men's Forum, functions as a lobbying voice for the OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children), facilitates HIV and young people's leadership workshops, and monitors and evaluates, with RACE members, all HIV and AIDS programming within its school system. We are profoundly grateful for all these alliances without which all of us would be the poorer. It is only with teamwork and vision tht our amazing home will emerge healthy and well, and although Kunene is, indeed, a glorious study in contrasts, in this, our battle against HIV, we will not triumph unless we stand as one. Come join us!!
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