Traditional leaders to tackle HIV-AIDS

THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) AIDS Action, the Western Diocese and the King of Uukwaluudhi, Josia Shikongo Taapopi, will jointly host a one-day HIV-AIDS education conference for traditional leaders and community members on Thursday.

Elcin AIDS Action co-ordinator, the Reverend. Hosea Iyambo, announced last week that the event would be held at the Uukwaluudhi Traditional Office, Tsandi, in the Omusati Region, between 09h00 and 16h00. Iyambo said that to enable participants to learn as much as possible the programme would be conducted mostly in Oshiwambo.He told The Namibian that King Taapopi had requested the conference after an HIV-AIDS awareness meeting that was held by Elcin AIDS Action for him and other traditional leaders in April.The Pastor said that this would be the first HIV-AIDS conference involving traditional and religious leaders meeting together to discuss the impact of HIV-AIDS on local communities, to provide factual information about HIV-AIDS, to educate leaders and community members and to create a forum for brainstorming about ways to address HIV-AIDS in the area.He revealed that Elcin AIDS Action and Family Health International/Namibia had received funding through the US Government’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief administered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).Iyambo said that to enable participants to learn as much as possible the programme would be conducted mostly in Oshiwambo.He told The Namibian that King Taapopi had requested the conference after an HIV-AIDS awareness meeting that was held by Elcin AIDS Action for him and other traditional leaders in April.The Pastor said that this would be the first HIV-AIDS conference involving traditional and religious leaders meeting together to discuss the impact of HIV-AIDS on local communities, to provide factual information about HIV-AIDS, to educate leaders and community members and to create a forum for brainstorming about ways to address HIV-AIDS in the area.He revealed that Elcin AIDS Action and Family Health International/Namibia had received funding through the US Government’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief administered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).