World AIDS Day

    I come from a country with HIV prevalence close to 0%, to now living in a country with the highest rate in the world. HIV isn't a 'them' issue, it is an 'US' issue. I was never really concerned with HIV before I came to Swaziland, simply because I never knew anyone personally affected by it—that is not the case anymore. I don't know anyone personally with HIV, but that doesn't mean my friends, neighbors, etc.. don't have it, they just don't talk about it. I do however know tons of people first hand who have lost an immediate family member due to the virus. HIV isn't just some 'bad thing' you associate with Africa. It is a real disease taking millions of lives and leaving millions of children as orphans. 

December 1^st was World AIDS Day and I was so happy to see the country's response to that day. Fellow PCV's all over the country organized events, while other NGO's also did things to commemorate the day. My community did a survey to determine the current rate of HIV in my community specifically, and at my school I organized all the students to wear red. As someone who is now living on the frontlines of this war, I encourage all of you reading this see what you can do to fight AIDS; even if it's just being educated on HIV, getting tested, praying, or befriending someone who is positive. 

Let's all work together to have an AIDS free generation.