Amie’s Adventures Abroad

Madagascar currently has one of the lowest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in
Africa, the government published Statistics say that approximately 3% of the Malagasy people are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. Many people believe that these numbers are inaccurate as testing is not as common as one would hope. Something to keep in mind with this statistic is that in 1996 South Africa’s seropositive rate was the same, by 2006 it was over 30% a chilling prospective for Madagascar. But with hard work and education Madagascar’s seropositive rate will remain the same and hopefully even decrease.

Peace Corps Madagascar in Partnership with many other organizations is working to combat this deadly disease. Much of the work that health volunteers do is HIV/AIDS education and prevention. Many of us non-health volunteers also participate in this kind of work

AIDS education and prevention takes many guises from the small one on one conversations that we have on a daily bases with people in our villages to big events like plays and concerts that highlight the importance of working to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission and educate people on how to be safe. The biggest HIV/AIDS event in Madagascar is about to start in Tamatave and I am here participating. This is a two-week long period of intensive education and activism on the part of many PCVs, members of the NGO community and the entire Tamatve region. This event is called “The Annual Bike Race Against AIDS” though it encompasses much more than a bike race.

Starting last week and going until October 5th approximately 25 PCVs are working in Tamatave to go to every single fokantany (neighborhood) giving speeches and doing AIDS education and encouraging people to go and get tested. On October 5th many of us will be going up to Foulepoint, about 50 km north of Tamatave and where the race starts. On the 5th there are going to be tons of events, a soccer tournament, a 5km foot race, plays, cinemamobile, a huge traditional Betsimisaraka meal eaten on banana leaves, and of course much AIDS education and free testing.

The race will be on the morning of the 6thand it sounds like it will a huge success. Many of the PCVs that are here will be riding in the race, along with the American Ambassador and hopefully many hundreds of Malagasy. I think I have work detail that day so I wont be racing but am fine with that. It is going to be a fantastic time, all capped off with a concert by this Malagasy singer called Njakatina and a party on the beach.

I have been in Tamatave three days already and am having a fantastic time, getting to know the health PCVs from other regions who are here to help out and giving speeches on HIV/AIDS. I am learning a lot, improving my Malagasy and I actually feel like I am helping to accomplish something.