VCT and Post Test Groups

As a result of the Maanisha program, KAP started a centre for Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) in May 2006. Currently the centre is receiving about 50 clients per month. Though it is based in a temporarily structure, it meets all the standards and conditions of the Kenyan Ministry of Health.

KAP VCT is focusing on the community surrounding the hospital, with specific emphasis on youths. Many of the students from the neighbouring secondary school in Nyamanga visit our VCT. This is one of the reasons why we started a post-test group for youths. Some of the members of this group shared their opinion about VCT with us. You can find their stories below.

Of course, we hope that we will be able to build a more permanent structure for VCT in the future. As we are expecting to start with Anti Retroviral Treatment soon, this structure could also accommodate a dispensing room for drugs and an office for the HIV and AIDS coordinator.

The post test club

Mr. Anton Omar – The post test club patron

Youths are eager to know more about themselves. They also work hard on their education and are busy changing themselves a lot. It’s a risky period for them, and if not well counselled the problems they may bring upon themselves may be too costly for them to bear. For Nyamanga secondary school it is a blessing to have Acorn VCT with us. The VCT is very friendly to youths. This is shown by the number of students visiting the VCT and the number that freely and openly joined the post test club, of which I am patron. I will always encourage my students to make full use of Acorn VCT and contribute to the other HIV-related activities that Acorn has started, like the post test club.May God bless KAP VCT to extend beyond Nyamanga School and reach other schools and institutions as well.

Bruno Ochieng – Form Three

Most of us think that it is very hard to be faithful or to abstain and many do not know how to use a condom correctly. That way, they end up infecting themselves with diseases like HIV. It is also very sad to find that many youths involve in affairs with to earn money or have relations with widows. This happens to boys as well as girls. I´ve been in love, yes, but I would like to stress that being in love does not only mean sex. I have many friends, but not many lovers. People should also stop assuming that if you relate to somebody from the opposite sex, this will lead to sex. I would like to urge my colleagues to go for VCT, because it helps a lot. Being HIV positive does not mean the end of your life and you can still live longer if you know your status. I’ve visited Acorn VCT and I’m very happy with my result. I appreciate KAP VCT counsellors for the good work they are doing. To all youths: True love is waiting for you, and so it’s better to abstain!

George Oyoo Omondi – Form Three

We should be serious about this disease, because it is real! Parents of youths, even as young as 25 to 30 years old, have died and leave their children “naked and hungry”. We should do three major things to protect ourselves:

a)      Abstain

b)      Be faithful

c)      Protect yourself if you can resist

This procedure can help us in day to day life. I like Acorn VCT because it’s good to know your status. I appreciate how they handle us and that everything we discuss is being kept confidential.

Beatrice Akinyi Achieng – Member of post test counselling group

I’m very happy to share how I feel about VCT. The decision to go to any testing facility and to know your status should be out of free will. VCT helps you to know your status, plan the rest of our life and helps us to enter in marital relationships without being infected. VCT gives clients hope and with good counselling, people live longer and with less fear. It’s also a good entry point for other care interventions. Let’s go for VCT to know our status! It’s free of charge and it will prepare us for our future lives. I want to help creating more awareness about HIV and AIDS in the whole of Kenya.

Mary C. Adoyo Otieno - Member of post test counselling group

I’m very happy to tell you more about voluntary counselling and testing. When I first went, the counsellor, that I found at Acorn, was very friendly and intelligent. He guided me on how I can tackle the many problems that surround us, like sexually transmitted diseases. I also did the test and I was very happy that I was negative. We should all go for a test. Especially the youths, because the infection rate among youths it very high and in ten years to come there will be no ministers and teachers. After going for VCT you are more able to make future plans for yourself and for your family.

If you go for VCT and find out that you are positive, it does not mean the end of your life. By taking care of yourself and for instance taking antiretroviral drugs you can prolong your life and complete your plans. Go for a test! Its done without payment.