Not One But Everyone
DEDICATION TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING POSITIVELY ALL
OVER THE WORLD.
Written by Thomson Ng'ambi
James, my father, is the Coordinator for HOPE FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL. It is an NGO based in Lusaka and headquarters is located in the USA. My father is sponsored by the UNO and well-wishers worldwide.
Friend: “Now, what is the problem?”
James: “I understand the organization was formed in November 2000. Its objectives are to eradicate the spread of HIV/AIDS and stigma. By promoting the use of condoms and advocating for good behaviour among youths, like faithfulness and abstinence.”
Friend: “So what?”
James: “However, my father does the other way around. Him and his colleagues are spending their time in clubs, drinking beer and having a good time with prostitutes, using money meant for developmental projects. I don’t really want to mingle with hypocrites. I feel bad for my innocent mother who knows nothing.”
Friend: “James, you are just controversial. Not all Ngo’s are as corrupt as your father. Some are good and their works are appreciated by the community.”
James: “You are a foolish peer educator. All this is due to lack of employment. I’ll never join your NGO because you preach evil. The Bible; the wages of sin is death. Last time I spoke to my father about corruption and his evil doings it was not good.” He punched me.
Friend: “No!”
James: “Ubucushi bwamu nobe ninsansa shobe. A Bemba saying, meaning that: your friends’ suffering is your happiness. On the contrary what I know is that happy are those conscious of their spiritual needs.”
Friend: “Yes, you are right. We have freedom to choose what we want to eat, choose what to wear, choose where to live, but it is not freedom at all. However so, freedom is ensuring a happy and secure future for all regardless of their status in society. As such, let’s put our heads together and fight the scourge.”
James: “Right, but not through corruption. By the way, the so-called rich world is pumping a lot of money
into the manufacturing of both male and female condoms to earn more profits and enrich themselves at the expense of poor nations. In the name of helping the less privileged people in society. Consequently this contributes to prostitution and high levels of poverty in families.”
Friend: “Okay, Mr. Genius! I understand your point but I’ve got to go to the outreach now.”
James: “Most importantly, you’ve replied to a prayer and asked for advice from your Bishop.”
Friend: “Say hi to Janet.”
James: “Okay bye. When is the wedding?”
James does not worry, because it’s just a joke you will see later.
Although James, 26 yrs old, is coming from a family of irresponsible and a sinful father, he is a God fearing man, ambitious and talented. He’s successfully graduated with a merit in BBA at University of Zambia. He’s been in a stable relationship with Janet for five years. Their friendship is based on Christian principles of faithfulness and abstinence. Unfortunately, when James was 17 years old, he got involved in a bus accident where he sustained a broken arm. He got infected with the disease through the injuries of somebody who was HIV positive.
Janet: “Hello, sweetie.”
James: “Hi, how are you and where are you from.”
Janet: “Actually, I am fine and am coming to your place. There’s something I want to tell you.”
James: “What is it about?”
Janet: “Well, it’s over your marriage proposal. My parents are saying that we have to get an HIV test before we get married.”
James: “Are you insane or something? I’ve been with you for five years and I’ve never demanded sex from you. Honestly speaking, this is what you came to tell me?”
Janet: “It’s not my idea. Understand that I know people who are HIV positive and are sinners and bad mannered.”
James: “Fine, we’ll have a test. Now, what if you are found positive?”
Janet: “Do you leave me alone? I’ve always told you that God made me for you and even if you are found positive I’ll never leave you. For better for worse.”
James: “Are you sure?”
Janet: “One hundred percent, no doubt.”
James and his love had the test done. James was HIV positive and Janet wasn’t.
James: “I can’t believe it. How could this happen to me?”
He cried out to almighty God for understanding, then he prayed for a long time. Afterwards, he went to see his bishop, B. Chanda. All his life he had put his trust and hope in God
Bishop Chanda: “What’s the problem my son? You look tired and sick.”
James: “Yes, I’ve a big problem. I had an HIV test and am positive. I don’t know what to do or how I got the disease because I have never had sex casual before.”
Bishop Chanda: “Don’t worry. I understand. I’m also positive. I got the disease from my wife who was sexually abused by an uncle when she was very young. I trusted her and didn’t have a test. I believe going for an HIV test is not an easy thing to do but it’s worth it. There are so many ways that you can contract HIV/AIDS and not just through sexual intercourse. “
James: “What about your children?”
Bishop Chanda: “They are not positive. By the way I have one son with my wife. The two girls are my nieces.”
James: “How do you manage?”
Bishop Chanda: “By the grace of God. We depend on ARV’s.”
James: “Do you think Janet can understand my status?”
Bishop Chanda: “I don’t know. That’s her personal decision.”
James: “I wonder. Not one, but everyone is affected because I have never had sex without carefully using a condom.
NB: Bishop Chanda heads a church of about 250 people who do not know anything.
When she got the news of James being HIV positive she thought about the suffering she went through as a child in the village. How she slept in the cold at night just to get money to go to university. She holds the LLB.
Tears rolling down her cheeks, “No Place that Far” sung by West life. She finally went into fasting for the right answer because she is very confused.
”Heavenly Father Jehovah God
Let Your Will be done.
Save us Lord
Amen”
Psalms 22
Written by: THOMSON M. NG’AMBI
[kkratings]
