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World AIDS Day
Dear Friend,
May I say thanks to all who make the Campaign against the HIV/AIDS epidemic
their concern. We are administering to many people who are at risk. You may have
read many reports which which show how numbers of infected persons continue to
rise particularly here in Africa.
There are many proposals regarding methods to reduce on the risk, so long as
they involve sexual intercourse, most of them are partial measures. They
contribute to the reduction of cases of new infection but they none of them is
100% safe. Only living the life of chastity or sexual abstinence is 100% safe.
We are told by sociologists, and the statement could be challenged, that in
every population sample, only and sometimes less than 5% can actually
permanently abstain from sex for a long time. To sexually abstain one must be
heavily addicted to something that takes their whole attention from sexual
preoccupations.
Experience shows that many people who make a serious choice do in fact abstain
from sex. To abstain one must be committed to some cause, must not be a consumer
of alcohol, (alcohol contributes greatly to the spread of the HIV/AIDS
infection), and must consciously be concerned about staying safe from the
HIV/AIDS infection.
In my book, "Pastoral Care in Ugandan Schools, a sociological perspective" I
discuss many issues regarding the great risk adolescents are faced with in this
era of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is important to remember that violence and
exploitation do expose young people and particularly females to the infection.
Let us take positive action and firmly stand out against the prevalence of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic. Those who happen to be infected, should not be made to feel
guilty or unfortunate. The virus is in our society and it is a reality of our
time, we must accept it and live with it whether in our bodies or outside our
bodies.
If you are interested in holding further conversation with me on HIV/AIDS
related topics, please do not do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to
avail my book to anyone who is making the campaign against the epidemic part of
their program of life.
Thanks and Looking forward to hearing from you.
I am,
Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Bukenya
EdD University of Warwick, England, UK.
Currently, Lecturer at Uganda Martyrs University, Kisubi Campus.
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