HIV/AIDS a challenge to youth A case study of Oyugis integrated project - KARUNGAI, John (Nairobi, 2004)
The aim of this research project was to establish the challenges faced and caused by HIV/AIDS among the young people around Oyugis town in Kasipul division, Rachuonyo district. The specific objectives were to find out how youth department under the umbrella of Oyugis integrated project takes care of the HIV/AIDS patients, how youths living with AIDS accept their situation and how the community is involved in caring for and loving their patients. The case study describes how the youth office, through Oyugis integrated project is conscientising and training the community to take care of their parents in their own homes, rather than in hospital. In support of their spiritual and consolation, AIDS patients have formed choir, which they go for practicing three times a week. They also lead songs every Sunday during the first mass of the parish. Wednesdays are days that they meet together and share what has been going on at their homes, and at the same time they do netting, singing and cooking. They do it a full day and they cook food, which is shared by all team members of OIP and the patients. Counseling/treatment is carried, during that day which is free. They take this moment as a time of supporting one another and listening to each other. Based on these findings, the researcher concludes that poverty is the main cause of the AIDS pandemic. The youth department under the Oyugis integrated project must address the following: employment, cultural issues e.g. inheritance, polygamy and social relationship among the opposite sex in the community.