Training with Ghanaian Peer Educators in Konongo

Monday May 7th- Thursday May 10th

We spent the past four days with our fellow peer educators training and preparing for our HIV / AIDS workshops. We covered topics ranging from the modes of transmission to preventative measures. We learned how to do condom demonstrations and practiced workshop delivery.
I will admit, that when it came to the actual curriculum of the training, most of what we learned was remedial. That said, I personally found the training to be a wonderful learning experience. We did cover topics that I had questions concerning, it was a great opportunity to bond with our fellow peer educators, and it challenged my preconceptions of what I thought I knew in regards to HIV/AIDS. Obviously the biological make up of the virus does not change depending on where you are in the world. That said, the context, issues, challenges and strategies in relation to the virus are completely different here. You almost need to do a little unlearning, or shedding of your preconceived notions, before you can begin to understand the local challenges and recognize the appropriate methods of change.

While many living with HIV/AIDS in Canada experience stigma, the misconceptions and stigma associated with the virus here are very different. HIV/AIDS is a gender related issue in Africa. As a result, Lindsay, our group facilitator, ran a workshop on sex vs. gender. The training in its entirety combined with her particular workshop both highlighted our cultural differences when it comes to gender roles but it deconstructed them as well. Our Ghanaian peer eductors may not see eye to eye with us when it comes to a woman's role in society, however, they are accepting of our way of life and our choices. For example, the general concensus of the Ghanaian peer educators on a man's role is that he will be the uncontested provider, decision maker and head of the household. We as Canadians shared that both men and women can assume this role in our culture; most often this role is a partnership and shared. Although there was a struggle to understand these roles for both the Ghanaians and the Canadians, we were challenged to find a balance between tolerance and upholding our own personal values. I also think that the workshop's emphasis on gender being a social construct, which changes depending on place and time, has challenged our peer educators to reevaluate their concept of a woman's role. What they feel is a woman's role may not have changed, but I think many of them came to understand that this role is relative. It has also challenged us, as Canadians, to reciprocate and understand these differences. I have learned that I can disagree without judgment.

Finally, these differences did not seems to hinder our peer eductors from being the most friendly, accepting, and gracious hosts. Francis, one of the Ghanaian peer educators, invited us out after the training on Wednesday afternoon. He proudly invited us into his home and we met his family. We walked through the market and town, running into people we knew from the training as the afternoon went on. Eventually, our group of 5 turned into 10. We stopped at a local parlour to drink pito (millet wine) and then spent the rest of the evening walking throughout town talking with our new friends.

Today we leave for Kumasi for the weekend. I have to admit that I am excited. That said, I think I am even more excited to meet back up with our new friends to start putting our workshops together next week.

Our team has been in Konongo for one week now. I think we are all settling in very well. You know that you are adjusting when the power outages every night no longer bother you and the small school children who shout "oboroni" (or white person) at you in the market no longer seems shocking or out of sorts.

By Sarah