EIL Intercultural Learning

I'm in the third week on the global awareness programme in Nigeria,Where to start? The area we are in and the country as a whole is like a cultural oasis. So many things like the food (incredibly spicy and eaten without cutlery), the customs (using your left hand for many things is rude), the transport (the main way of getting around is by motorcycle taxi and helmets are non-existent) and the conditions (electricity goes several times a day) are unlike anything we are used to. Yet we have become practically Nigerians in such a short time frame, neither of us want to leave in four weeks.

Our project is working in the HIV and AIDS NGO Living Hope Care in Ilesa which is the only source of support,care and information for thousands of people here. Work is tough in that hours are long and it can be frustrating working without resources and with a lot of delays but at the same time every day is different. I work in the HIV Care and Support Department and Emily works in the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Department. I've been giving talks to groups such as such as students and policemen. My work is also to develop a programme to work with female sex workers and educate them about HIV. We are trying to build up a trust with the women and we've ended up giving lectures and female condom demos in front of their customers, whom we found were mostly young guys, studenty types. Stigma against people who are postive and sheer lack of education about HIV are some the most severe obstacles, I did a talk just this evening to a group of teachers, when I was finished, one lady asked me whethere HIV was airborn. As well the difficullty people who are positive face accessing drugs. Twice a week our organisation brings those who need to collect their drugs on a two hour journey to pick them up because that is the nearest place to get them and most can't afford transport. The bus cannot be marked with the HIV logo and it leaves at 6am so that others cannot see them because of stigma. Stigma and ignorance among health care workers is one of the most uncomfortable things we have witnessed. They aren't given any training on HIV and many refuse to treat people including pregnant women who are postive.

So that's a brief update on Nigeria. Outside of work, the culure is incredible and the people have been overwhelmingly welcoming. Everyday I am excited to be here and the way of lifelife is going to be seriously diffiult to recover from. Watch this space.