“We, the poor of Africa, remain silenced in the global [HIV/AIDS] dialogue….Most HIV infections in Africa are spread by sex outside of marriage: casual sex and infidelity. The solution is faithful love. So hear my plea, HIV-AIDS profiteers. Let my people go. We understand that casual sex is dear to you, but staying alive is dear to us. Listen to African wisdom, and we will show you how to prevent AIDS.”
Dr Kim Dernovsek, a dermatologist in Pueblo, quoted and shared the scientific facts supporting this pinnacle of wisdom quoted by Sam L. Ruteikara, co-chair of Uganda’s National AIDS-Prevention Committee. During a recent “Doctor, Doctor” radio show entitled “A Proven Approach to AIDS in Africa,” Dr Dernovsek shared the success Uganda had in fighting AIDS through behavior change when they reduced their HIV rate from 21% in 1991 to 5% in 2001 through behavior change, specifically abstinence before marriage and faithfulness in marriage through Christ. Dr Dernovsek also discussed how she and her husband founded Universal Chastity Education (UCE) after she delivered her medical lecture “Teens and sex: reach them now or treat them later” in Uganda in 2003. Universal Chastity Education was named by the Ugandans and its purpose is to support what the Ugandans already knew in their fight against AIDS: abstinence before marriage and faithfulness to one spouse in marriage.
Additionally both the Ugandans and UCE recognize the importance of “second chances,” that is when a person who is not living a chaste life, hears the message to choose chastity. In Africa, it’s not uncommon for a youth to sell their body to pay for their school fees. Dernovsek recounted a poignant testimony UCE received from Burundi: “I started being a prostitute in 2007 when I was still 18 years old. I left school and my village and came down to hire a room here near Lake Tanganika, where I could have enough clients from the fisherman. It happened that I attended a UCE open air meeting 2 years ago. I laughed at those who signed the commitment cards. But later on I decided to sign it also. I joined the church. Now I am married legally and God has blessed us with two children. I thank UCE for the role played to change my life for the better.”
To listen to the full radio interview click here and select segment starting at 13:18. To learn more about Universal Chastity Education or to support, visit their webpage: www.uceglobal.org