Sex and Alcohol!

Now that I have gotten your attention, I would like to keep your attention on something I think is important.  We received training on so many topics that seem to be endless, but yesterday we covered Sex and Alcohol.

The topic is really not specific to Kenya but for America and the rest of the world as well.  However, for some things, such as HIV/AIDS, it is prevalent in Kenya unfortunately.  But over the years, with strong emphasis on Life Skills in the curriculum and educating the communities, the epidemic is getting under control.

Anyway, we were shown a chart showing top 10 best methods of not getting STD or HIV/AIDS:  There are in this order

1. Abstinence -- 100% effective
2. Condom
3. Condom
4. Condom
5. Condom
6. Condom
7. Condom
8. Condom
9. Condom
10. Condom

Although this gave us a chuckle, but I think the message got across.  As for me, coming to Africa meant for me an opportunity to "pay it forward" the gifts (knowledge and skills) I have to those that need them.  Second purpose for me was to have the opportunity to travel and see the world.  I have no intention of doing anything else.  So, Abstinence is what I intend to do here.

We, Deaf Educators in Machakos (10 of us), will be travelling to Liotokitok to meet the other educators (18 of them) for one week to have our HIV/AIDS training -- not to learn how to avoid it, but how to teach our children and communities how to prevent it, and how to manage it if infected.

Now on to Alcohol, the booze here in Kenya is far stronger than what we have in America.  For example, the following Kenyan booze is equal to one American 6-pack beer:

• 1.6 bottles Guiness beer (has 6.5% proof)
• 2.2 bottles of Tusker beer (has 4.2% proof)
• 3.3 bottles of Smirknoff Ice (has 7% proof)

So, if we drink their booze the same amount as we usually do, we will just be too drunk.  Funny thing about Guiness is that they say it appears that the Kenyan women favor this beer because they believe there is iron on it to help with their health.  

They explained that there are plenty of "home brews" (like moonshine) around here, but cautioned us about trying them out because some of them will cause us to go blind.  They put in ethanol to try to boost potency.

Some myths:

1.  Are most rapes done by strangers?

False -- 84% are done by known acquaintances.

2.  Rapes are always happening for the young and pretty?

False - most rapes occur to those that are 21 - 69 years old, of any race, ethnicity, sex, etc.

3.  Rapes occurred because the victim did not resist.

False - the victim could be drugged, out of fear, in shock, overpowered.  Compliance is not to be taken as consent.

4.  If the victim did not say no, then its not rape.

False - Same as #3 above.

5.  Only women can be raped.

False -- Rape can happen to men, even of same sex (male-male or female-female).

6.  Most rapes, the victim were asking for it?

False -- but we all must be careful with how we dress, act, how much drink, etc.

Off topic, we went to the market with our trainers so that we can learn KSL for the vegetables and fruits.  It was very helpful.

KSL Trainer Isabel, Britni, Anna