14 May 2014 - To enhance their knowledge of modern testing practices, 18 HIV/AIDS counselors today received training at the UNMISS protection site in Bentiu, Unity State.

“HIV is real, HIV is here and HIV (will) not only be defeated by me or by these counselors,” said UNMISS HIV Training Officer Patrick Sokiri. “HIV can only be contained when we all work together.”

Mr. Sokiri said the ten-day training, which focused on HIV/AIDS testing and awareness, would in turn enable the counselors to increase awareness among communities in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site.

UNMISSS State Coordinator, Mary Cummins advised the new graduates to share the knowledge and skills with their communities.

“You go back home and share the knowledge with your people, educate them about HIV and let them understand it,” she said. “You are not alone. You will be supported by your partners in the UN, (non-governmental organization) CARE and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to carry out your work in the POC site.”

Simon Muon Riak, one of the participants, said the counselors are committed to changing attitudes in the community.

“I know it is not easy to change the mind of communities but we are committed to educate them about HIV,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t want to use condoms and this is a big challenge to us but we will continue to educate them till they understand the message.”

The training course was organized by the UNMISS HIV/AIDS Unit in collaboration with local partners.