Facebook
By Zekarias Menberu, Ethiopian youth Council for Higher Opportunities (ECHO), TaYA
Under the scorching sun of Shiro Meda, Rahel Yohannes speaks with vigor about the evils of stigma and discrimination to a group of people even the fasting does not deter her from speaking loud.
Rahel is married and the mother of a ten year old boy. She makes her living by sewing tapestries. Taking care of people around her and shouldering responsibilities are her day to day routines.” It has been a year and half since I started attending “Bunna Tetu” (an Amharic phrase meaning drink coffee)” she says. Since then, Rahel has gone through considerable change. She claims that more than increasing her awareness about HIV AIDS, ‘Bunna Tetu’ has inspired her to give voluntary home caring service for HIV patients in her neighborhood. She strongly believes ‘Bunna Tetu’ has been helping the people of her kebele (district) 03/04/05. She smiles ironically when she tells the story of Daniel who was once ostracized by his neighborhood for revealing his positive zero-status.
Daniel, who is in his late 30s, recalls that his neighbors used to be afraid of shaking his hand and talking to him as a result of the misconception about the transmission of HIV. Thanks God says, Rahel “We prepared our coffee ceremony in Daniel’s neighborhood and discussed the details of HIV AIDS openly and Daniel got at least his greetings back.” Rahel and Daniel look at each other with a feeling of triumph when they talk about the attitude change their neighbors have undergone towards people living with HIV.
Ayelech, the representative of kebele (district) 03/04/05 Health and HIV unit said that the district receives funds from HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO) via Gulele sub city to undertake the ‘Bunna Tetu’ gathering. According to Ayelech, the program started seven years ago in their district and people meet every fortnight to drink coffee and talk about what is happening in their neighborhood regarding HIV AIDS. She also said that besides the financial support from Addis Ababa HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Office (AAHAPCO), different NGOs working on HIV AIDS and reproductive health are helping them in many ways such as providing health workers regularly to ‘Bunna Tetu’ so that people have a very clear understanding of AIDS.
During ‘Bunna Tetu’ meetings, people mainly acquire knowledge about HIV AIDS regarding Anti Retroviral Therapy, Voluntary Counseling and Testing and, prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, stigma and discrimination are also major points of discussion during these community meetings.
In addition to bestowing the great aroma of coffee, the ceremony is freeing and empowering individuals like Daniel & Rahel to openly discuss about HIV which will ultimately contribute to curbing the epidemic.
Comments
[Add New Comment]
It is great to hear about this. I actually really love this idea! Thank you so much for posting this! I found a few Creative Common's photos of the Ehtiopian Coffee Ceremony that I thought might add some color!
# Posted By 
vanessaaishacoleman
| 5/4/09 11:53 PM
| Reply
vanessaaishacoleman
| 5/4/09 11:53 PM
| Reply
[Add New Comment]
Get email updates and action alerts:
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha
by AFY_Samantha