Good Timing

One of the local teen club members seemed pretty content in school, until a few weeks ago. She announced that she wanted to attend a state boarding school, because of family issues at home. I went along and tried to help her find a spot in a boarding school. In the meantime she decided to attend the teen club with me in Gaborone so she could then attend on her own in the future. While traveling, I inquired about school. She said she was upset because the teachers treated her differently ever since she left her back pack in the classroom and someone must have found out she was HIV positive. Now the teachers and students stare at her when they talk about HIV.
When we arrived at the teen club early Saturday morning, we found out the topic for the older teens to discuss was the disclosure of one’s HIV status-how fitting! I attended one of the groups as an adult counselor and she was in another as a student. We began by listening to an excellent panel of adults present how they learned their HIV status and also their decision to go public. The presentation was followed by questions from the students.
We then moved in to small groups to discuss further and plan well designed scenarios for each group to present on different ways disclosure might occur. My group had two volunteers who should us how they would play students returning from gym class when some medication falls out of a bag. The denial and eventual disclosure was very well presented. When we returned to the large group, we saw some amazing acting and convincing school scenarios that everyone could relate to immediately. There was also lots of laughter watching students play the roles of teachers, students, boyfriends and girlfriends. More discussion followed.
I saw my student after the session as asked what she thought. Her reply was “Perfect.” I then inquired if she wanted to see a counselor to discuss her situation at school. She said yes. We arranged for her to see the counselor before lunch at the teen club. With the student’s consent, I then talked to the counselor to find appropriate ways for dealing with the situation. Hence, the student was helped with a very immediate problem and I was given possible strategies
Thanks to teen club, we had a perfect timing so my student’s could deal with her problem in groups, receive individual counseling on an important and connect to the Gaborone teen club where she can feel open about discussing HIV issues with fellow members.
Since that meeting we have had several follow up meetings in our village a social worker from the hospital and the school counselor. Her mother also came to some of the meetings. As of now, our teen club member has great ambivalence about staying in school. However, at our local teen club, members have talked to him about finishing the year and then looking for another school. So we shall see what happens…