Cape Coast School for the Deaf students receive HIV counselling, testing

Cape Coast, May 16, GNA - Students of Cape Coast School for the Deaf, CAPE DEAF, have benefited from an HIV education, Counselling and Testing outreach programme organised by Hope for Future Generation (HFFG).

The programme, which formed part of the implementation of the Multi-Sectorial HIV and AIDS Programme (MSHAP/Ghana Aids Commission project), was carried out by the HFFG, a community-based Non Governmental Organisation on women and children last Friday.

One hundred and fifty-two students made up of 79 male and 73 female took part in the counselling and testing session.

The HFFG Project Manager, Madam Amy Asiedu and a Project Officer, Miss Josephine Lodonu, who sensitized the students, took them through the basic facts of HIV and AIDS focussing on its mode of transmission, prevention and the benefits of Counselling and Testing to know ones status.

A Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) disclosed his status to the students and told them about himself and his family and how he had been living with the virus for the past eleven years.

He said his wife was also positive but with the help of HFFG through education, counselling and medical attention, they had a child who was not infected.

The students, who were excited and touched by the disclosure of the HIV positive person, wished him well in all he does.

The Headmistress of Cape Coast School for the Deaf, Mrs Barbara Anning said most of the students had low self esteem as a result there was the need for behaviour change.

She urged HFFG to come to their aid and help to boost self confidence in the students.

Mrs Anning intimated that there had been lots of HIV education in the school, but that of HFFG was spectacular due to the counselling and testing activity and the disclosure by the PLHIV.