(Not SRHR, but still a youth representation piece.. I think I'm just ranting thought... but...)

So in an earlier blog I wrote, I was ranting about the government's response to a group of young people who tried to make some suggestions to the government, but who they wouldn't listen to.  Now, 8 months later, the same taxation issue has come up, and the same group of young people are, once again, trying to get the government to listen to them...

The story is that the government has decided to (again) raise tax, to 17.5%! What one writer calls a devastating tax plan. Not only to raise it, but to leave off basic food necesities off the tax exemption list. Which means rice, flour and sugar are all taxed. And, get this females... Sanitary napkins and tampons are taxed too... 17.5%...  Not even the disabled are spared, Prime Minister Bruce Golding last week announced that canes for the blind, artificial limbs, hearing aids and crutches designed for use by the handicapped are some of the items that would no longer be exempted from taxation.

When I saw the news tonight, i felt dejavu... the youth are saying they need to see the  tax plan revoked, or altered for the better before its implementation date of January 1, 2010. Their slogan is "It Must Be Reversed Before The First". And I agree.... It needs to be.. what will poor people do? Already barely can afford food, and they raising the price. And the rich people not having a problem..

Now, the Prime Minister says he has "heard the peoples' cry" as reported in the Jamaica observer and Gleaner and he says

"I have heard the cry and the appeal of the Jamaican people." "It is my intention to re-examine the existing composition of the tax package in order to determine if there are suitable alternatives to finding the $21-...billion of revenue required to support the programme negotiated with the IMF, while at the same time reducing the harsh impact on the society, especially the poor and vulnerable, during these very difficult times."

This entry is a part of our World AIDS Day Blogathon.  During this week we share our experiences, stories, and ideas about how HIV affects young people around the world. Join the blogathon .

So World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week has come and gone. On my campus, and in my community, a group of us a young people accomplished a whole lot, but for some reason, it's only the negatives that replay in my mind. It's like, we do so much as advocates and workers, but there's always so much to do... So, my blog, i think, is probably just me talking the incidents that made me realise how much more we have to do..




Incident #1 occurred the day before World Aids Day; the day the AIDS Awareness Club at my college did a decorating project, decorating the school and gates with red and red bows. During this exercise, 90% of all who saw us asked us why we're decorating the place, and why red ribbons. Quite a few even asked if we were trying to "chase duppy"... Which speaks to how uninformed many people still are, and how oblivious they are to something that has been going on for years on end. What does that mean for us? does it mean that we have to start preaching "World AIDS Day" all through the year? Does it mean that we have to start using mediums like general assemble and hall meetings to address HIV/AIDS Awareness? What now?

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So,

YES, i know i'm a bit late, but i only heard about the Kiss-In yesterday, and it brought back to memory a link a friend posted on his Fb profile. The article  which was entitled "Kissing Men Walk Free" spoke about a duo who was taken to the police station for questioning, because they were caught "making out" in their parked car.

What do you think?

Do you think the  police handled the situation appropriately?

What do you think about the quoted section of the Offences against the Person Act?

Should they be charged for "gross indecency"?

Just a little thing to stimulate the mind and get you talking.

Feel free to comment with responses to these questions, or opinions of your own.

(the following is by Rocky, one of our youth activists in Jamaica)

The first time I heard about sustainability was in High School, when we were talking about types of governments and economies and resources. The essence of sustainability is that a population is able to use the available resources to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

When I heard the theme for International Youth Day 2009, the theme for a camp I attended earlier in the summer ran through my mind: "Action Time - Nuh Linga!" in essence, there's something to do, and we have to do it now.

The whole issue of sustainability, in my eyes, is a bit in the reverse, because the level of sustainability of one era is not dependent on how that set of people use their resources, but is dependent on how the people before them did; meaning that for the most part, we have minimum control over our sustainability. (NOTE: everything said after this point is my opinion, even though I won't be repeating "in my eyes" or "my view" much.).  The sustainability of the economy people live in can be likened to a family heirloom. (e.g. a plate). Currently, we as the youth have little control over what happens to that plate. It is in the care of our parents, so they have to take care of it, and preserve it so we can get it. The condition of the plate (whether it is still new or it is chipped and scratched) is dependent on what our parents did with it. When we do get it, it is up to us to care for it until we give it to the next generation. Sustainability is like this. If the current adult generation does not take care of the assets and resources we have, then our generation will have nothing to work with, and even though sustainability may be attainable for them, it will be difficult for our generation. In the same way, when we conserve and protect and preserve and all that, the benefits for us will be like 20% of the work we put in, while we will be significantly improving life for the generation after ours.

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So, a while back, the Jamaican law regarding Rape and Sexual Assault was a hot topic. During they time, there was a big fuss about what the new law really meant for the people (especially the females) of the country. I (Legal System Ben' Up) had a conversation with one of my friends (Mikhail - Just taking things day by day) about the topic. I recently found a log of the conversation, and thought i'd share some parts with you. It's short, but it is interesting to read. I'll post more details about the new laws in a post later on.

So, Here goes!:

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(Ok guys, I know this blog may be a different style from what I usually do, but, hey, thought id do something a bit different this time. However, here goes! Enjoy!)

"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." This powerful statement made by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. can be regarded to be quite adequate when one seeks to assess the issues of the infringements of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and also the issue of the infringement of human rights. The World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Reproductive Health and Research provides a comprehensive definition of sexual health and rights. The WHO defines it as a right to achieve "the highest attainable standard of sexual health, including access to sexual and reproductive health care services". Other sources note that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) can be defined as the right for all to make choices regarding their own sexuality and reproduction, providing that these rights respect the rights of others to bodily integrity. This definition also notes the right to access information and services needed to support these choices and optimize health care for all those who are in need of it.

Now in seeking to understand what is meant by human rights, one needs only look to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to article 1 of this document, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” As such, with these key definitions noted, one shall now be seeking to assess if these rights are indeed being infringed, and more importantly, how much, if anything at all, is being done to see these persons, whose rights were infringed, truly receive redress.

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Health ministry to spend $12m on swine flu flare-up

Lets start by saying for me, this isn't a political issue. I'm neither orange nor green (*the colours of the 2 major political parties). For me, this is more of totally disregard for a group of young people who have found a way to make a change, not "for the betterment of youth" or "to improve youth representation", but a change that will help the entire nation. For me, this is simply total disgust for a Prime Minister who has totally and blatantly disregarded and dismissed the views of a group of the nation's youth.

With the recession that has been going on, and the country's high debt rate, the government decided to implement a taxation plan to raise the necessary money. The PNPYO, which is the youth arm of the Opposition party, came up with a number of alternative strategies to the government's 18 billion dollar taxation plan. The document was in the form of a letter which described the five strategies, which would bring in revenue of approximately 19.3 billion dollars.

The prime minister's response: "I expect that the concerns you have raised and the proposals you have put forward will be included in the presentations to be made by participating members of the Opposition, to which the Government will respond appropriately".

You know.. if he had responded saying "no, we will not be using those suggestions", i would have been less upset than i am now. his story is practically "look. i do not have to respond to you, you are just young people. when the older ones bring it up, then i'll respond. until then, "settle yuhself"...."

Am I the only one who interprets his response this way? Read the article in The Gleaner (a jamaican newspaper) at www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090428/lead/lead5.html and please reply with your views

 As many may know, I live on campus, which for me means cut off from civilization. I found out about “swine flu” yesterday when I passed a bulletin on the board in the library. So I decided ok, it’s gone really bad now... I can’t be that clueless.. Have to find out what’s happening. So I went online, read the news, then read a couple newspapers from over the weekend. Shock of shockers when I found out how big a deal it was. An even greater shock was how much investment has been made in its prevention. Then it came to me. We always say we’re waiting on the day when people treat HIV/AIDS like diabetes, but what about the day when they treat HIV/AIDS like swine flu?

*The government has invested in over 6 million masks for distribution out in Mexico. What if they invested in 6 million condoms?

*Bulletins are posted all over informing people about how it is spread, how to prevent it etc. What if information on HIV/AIDS was that readily available?

*Everyone is talking about it, and taking preventative measures to make sure they don’t get the flu. Suppose that happened with HIV?

It could happen.. couldn’t it? Both can be passed on to other people, both can become an “epidemic”, both can cause death, the spread of both can be prevented… think about it….

Just something that came to me while reading the paper. Your thoughts??

Picture this. a large notice board beside the tuck shop. posters with student reminders, sales, parties, a poster announcing "dagger fridays"... and then right in the middle, covering half of a hugh party poster.... an ad. "Boots 4 sale. $5."



Interesting thing to note is that its like a strange black market... no name nor dorm was printed on the poster (except its expected to be the sole male dorm on campus..) yet condoms are going around.

I like the initiative. so far, i think its going ok, from what i have heard, even though i'm still not sure who's doing the selling...

Our only concern is admin. With a principal who is pro-abstinence, and contra-pre-marital sex (protected or not), it's likely to end in conflict. I don't get it though. They KNOW that students are having sex on dorm. everyone knows. and it's like they're turning a blind eye to it. the most they do is withdraw boarding privilidges, or something like that. but it still happens. and somehow i do not think they care. Maybe if they find out this condom blackmarket exists, things with start to change. change how? now THAT is the question. However, for the time being, Go Mister Anon! You have my support!

1. Have you ever wanted to know what AIDS is? Now is your chance to know.
   AIDS is a serious disease that can affect any of us, including you. The more educated you are about the disease, the greater your chances are of protecting yourself and your partner(s) from infection.

2. Has anyone ever mentioned the word sex to you? If so, tell them you are not ready. Try a different type of sex:
   S-Sleep
   E-Eat
   X-‘Xercise

3. Do you want to know about condoms? Well, a condom is a thin rubber or latex tube that is placed over the penis before it is inserted into the female to protect from pregnancy and infections.

4. Where can you get condoms? You can get condoms from the clinic, pharmacy, doctors, health centers, small shops, some bars, and the youth lounge. Both men and women 18 and over can get condoms without a prescription. But children under age in schools cannot get condoms because they are not allowed to have sex

5. How to use a condom? Pinch, leave an inch and roll down.

6. Some people make a lot of excuses for not using condoms or practicing safe sex, but you can have your reply for them.
   “I don’t have a condom.” – say “I do. We can use mine”
   “Condoms are useless and they burst” – say “Not if we store them and use them correctly”
   “I just don’t like condoms” – say “Well it seems you don’t like me either. No condoms, no sex”
   Using condoms take away feelings” – say “Even if we lose a little, we’ll still have plenty left”

A message from Jenelle Williams:

You have the right to protect yourself. Say no if you are not ready.

Jenelle describes herself as a brave 16 year old who stands up for individuals’ rights and also wants you to stand up for your rights.

 (A Part of Youth Advocacy Movement’s Blog Day, April 4, 2009)

Julene decided to do an art piece:

 My name is Julene. I am 13 years old. My favourite place to be is at the FAMPLAN youth lounge in St. Ann’s Bay. I like being there because I enjoy being with the other young people, and telling people about sex and health.

AIDS is a disease that people get

            If they don’t

                        Use a condom

It affects people around us everyday

            So before you have sex with someone

                        Go to the doctor and get tested

                                    Both of you

HIV is a virus

            That men and women

                        Can catch daily

It can even be spread

            By an infected mother

                        To her baby

                                    During pregnancy

Before you catch HIV,

            Run Your Show With A Condom Everytime.

I am Devanie Fletcher. I am 14 years old, and I am in grade 8. In the future, I would like to become a teacher or a nurse.

 (A Part of Youth Advocacy Movement’s Blog Day, April 4, 2009)

Funmi’s Task was a roleplay monologue by a pregnant teen:

Everyone hears but no one listens,

They just see what they want to see:

A pregnant girl with no ambition,

And no sense of responsibility

But they don’t know how it started

How I got to be in this place.

Looking at me like I’m no good

All my education – a waste

The world has turned its back on me

As if to shame I’m prone

Living outside my parents’ house

I’m so scared and alone.

Climbing the hills of Jamaica

Searching gullies 7 months down the line

And the father of the burden inside me…?

Still no sign.

I’m not saying what I did was right

To give in to the pressures of my peers

Although they’re doing the very same thing

They’ve still left me drowning in my tears.

My name is Funmi. I’m 15 years of age. I am a member of the FamPlan Youth Lounge, and I enjoy it because it is a good way to meet people as well as a way to learn about your sexual health.

If you’re not  ready for a child, abstain, or use a condom or some form of protection everytime… Or this poem could be about you. 

Hey everyone!

Here In Jamaica, I'm a member of the Youth Advocacy Movement. Today, April 4, 2009, I conducted a session on the Amplify site, and we had our first official mini blog day during our meeting.

During the meeting, the Youth lounge volunteers wrote proems, and different forms of creative pieces on SRHR issues of their choice. Some did information sheets, some pictures, and some just wrote their views.

In subsequent blogs, I will be posting these pieces. Enjoy!

These young people are being trained in SRH, and are volunteers. They need your support and encouraging words. They are between the ages of 12 and 16. They are the one's who will be joining us in our fight for better rights and laws for young people, and are just beginning their journey in the world of SRHR. Help play your part in their development by reading and commenting, or replying with encouraging words for them. I will ensure your comments get to the various authors.

Enjoy!
Rochelle C


Our youth lounge:

We have done quite a bit of improvement and renovation since then, but this is a little section of our room. :)

So, you say you want to engage peers in healthy conversations re: sex and relationships and things like that. But how do you start talking about it? Do you just walk up to them and say "Hey, do you use a condom everytime you have sex?" or do you just not say anything at all? 

Well, my strategy: let them come to you ;)

yup. Attract them, and let THEM start the talking.

The method I use, is my laptop, affectionately called "the billboard" by my friends.
I just get different stickers that have something to do with the various things i want to talk about. For this semester, im using safe sex, abstinence, and gender-based violence. Heres my laptop:

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(The following is part of Jamaica's Safer Sex Week Blogathon)

Yesterday I had to go to the pharmacy to get some tablets. While waiting at the cashier, I saw condoms for sale. (keep in mind i'm used to getting condoms free and giving them out, or im used to seeing condoms for$20-$30 at the clinic.)

I was totally shocked out of my life when I saw the prices of the condoms... the CHEAPEST condom was $70 and the most expensive was $150 Jamaican dollars (divide by $75 to get US price)

Ok. now lets compare the prices:

Drink = $40-60
Small Box Lunch = $120-$140
Phone Credit = $130
Transport fee = $50-$120
Pack of gum = $25=$30
Plastic Bag = $5
Kisko = $15-$20

(Jamaicans should know why I added plastic bag and Kisko to the list.. lol)

Those are just general everyday fees. Now who is going to pass up food, phone, and transport to buy condoms? Honestly, I would not buy the condom...

Why do they have to be so expensive?

... and then we wonder why people aren't using condoms... *Sigh

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My curiosity was peaked a couple minutes ago when I was approached by a friend. His comment: "Chelle you obviously haven't seen The Sunday Gleaner, as you haven't said a word all week." On his prodding, I logged onto The Gleaner's website's archives, and was greeted with the headline below:

Some churches shun HIV-positive Jamaicans

They're denied communion, advised against marriage and aren't baptised in church pool

(Hoping to keep this short.....)

I felt like I was stabbed in the chest.. and further reading only twisted the knife. The article went on to speak of an active churchmember, chorister, usher, the works, who was bluntly diagnosed HIV +. On telling her pastor's wife, the news spread to the pastor, the deacons, elers, and church goers, who began to ostracize her; changing seats, leaving her out of practices, denying her to privilege of working in the church, until the pastor eventually told her it was better to just keep to herself.

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This week was a crazy week. I met / ecnountered a number of people, some of which have made their mark for one reason or another, whether sensible or not.. they are:

Dec 1 - Monday - some guys at school who were overly willing to help me with giving out info about HIV/AIDS. Made me remember that no matter what you're doing, even when you think you're alone, you're not, cuz there's always at least one person willing to give a helping hand.

Dec 2 - Tuesday - a teacher at school; he started asking me lots of questions re HIV/AIDS and safe sex etc. He's a married man with his kids n stuff, but he still didnt know alot. Reminds me that its not only the youth and young people we have to target, but there are also adults who need the info we have to give.

Dec 3 - Wednesday - a female student; she got tested because of the info and stuff I gave her, and came back and told me about it. Felt great knowing i helped her that way.

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Today was absolutely great. I don't think I have ever given out so many condoms or information in such a short period of time...

Today was the Health Fair and Walk Through in St. Ann'y Bay. It was so cool.... at first i was just at the clinic finishing up posters and stuff for the display, but by a little before midday we were on the streets; giving people info about AIDS and HIV, handing out booklets and flyers, and distributing condoms.

I worked with one other adult and 3 younger ones (early teens) between the 5 of us, we gave out 200 books about HIV/AIDS,100 books about condoms, and 100 flyers about getting HIV testing. between the 2 of us as ''adults". we gave out 8 Packages of condoms.. each package contains about 140 boxes of condoms, and each box contains 3 condoms.. you do the math :)

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It was startling to see how oblivions many students were of the fact that yesterday was World AIDS day.  Barely any mention was made of the fact that it was World AIDS Day; a shocker to me who was used to a big info fair, or something to that extent. It was almost one-man (actually one-woman) show as I tried to change that.

With the help of my friends, I tried to inform as many people as possible, and tried to get some sort of a ‘vibe’ raised with regard to the occasion. We also sold ribbons to assist the individuals who were tested and diagnosed HIV + by the clinic I work with.

On giving out information, I came across a number of individuals, with varying views and diverse knowledge. I was a bit shocked to hear some of the comments coming from the college students… what shook me up even more was remembering that come of these individuals would be teaching my children soon.

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