Campaign Message

There is no need killing yourself. It never solves any problem. It is in Life that one can make changes to any problem that confronts him/ her. With the help of friends, love ones, family and God, you can surmount or mange anything that confronts you. You must learn to trust someone. It is not the end of a Christian when he falls down in the Lord because he/ she can rise up again. Stay alive.

Supporting Text

Time is flying and I am in pain. I am contemplating getting tested as I perceive that I might be HIV positive.
 
Koo was an angel
He sang in church as the leader of the choir, well versed in the Holy Scriptures;
Very handsome and well built, the taste of all the young girls.
All eyes were on me, the pastor’s daughter, who ought to live a life worth emulating.
He invited me out and we secretly agreed to meet at the Accra Mall
He showered me with all the gifts my eyes beheld, my wishes were his command.
I was warned not to bring guys home but
I trusted him and disobeyed my parents when they travelled for the funeral that weekend.
 
Coming from a Christian home, brought up according to the Christian dictates, we sat at the porch and took some fruit drinks. I got up to go to the ladies and I returned to continue my drink.
Innocent as I was, I felt drowsy and suddenly didn’t remember anything anymore.
When I woke up, I was on my bed, lying down undressed. He was gone. I knew he had slept with me.
 
I couldn’t tell my parents. They would kill me. I couldn’t tell my friends. They would laugh and mock at me. I didn’t know what to do. I went to the pharmacy for some pills to avoid pregnancy. 6 months later, we all learnt that Koo was HIV positive.
 
I had sleepless nights and headaches thinking I might also have it. I asked myself many questions: “… Did he protect himself when he slept with me? What would my parents say and how would they feel if they heard I contracted the virus because I didn’t hid to their advice?”

I have withdrawn from many church activities. I have lost my appetite. It will humiliate my parents when this news comes out. When I finally test positive, I will end it all- Kill myself.
 
 
 
Stevenson Cleardark
Poet / Mental Health Activist