Sex Ed and SODIS

It sounds a bit abrupt but that is what September and October has all been about for me.


It started off taking grade 8,9 and 10 to the ExpoSIDA. An exposition run by another organistion. An amazing exposition that covered sex, love, body changes, HIV and a lot more. Things that would normally be covered in a high school curriculum or taught to you by your parents and are just not talked about here. Not only was this day educational for all the kids, it was also one of the first times that they have left the community as a group and this alone was exciting for them.

It was then all about what to offer in the community. The propaganda was labour intensive but what I really enjoyed. Walking in the community, talking to tienda owners, sitting for ages talking to the trufi drivers adn going to the community leaders meeting was certainly great experiences.

IDH also came out to the community and ran workshops with classes 7-10 and a group of 30 people (a turnout I was pretty happy with). The kids loved it! The workshops were dynamic and fun and better than any sex ed I received.

This sparked the beginning of my 'club de jovenes' - a workshop each week that has the idea of being somewhere the youth can come and ask any question they like. I have had 4 weeks now and whilst interest appears to be high when talking to them, consistent attendance still isnt a strong point. But the discovery of the extent of their lack of knowledge is spurring me on to persist and hope that numbers grow. The condoms on the bananas activity was certainly an experience!


SODIS has once again been introduced to the community of MSJ! 2 other volunteers have headed up this project but I have been involved in the general support of propaganda, teaching talleres, dressing up in sun costume to kill the bacteria. It has been intense and amazing. The reaction of the kids to washing their hands with running water from taps made from bottles has really surprised me. I really hope the novelty that has caused them to create lines to wait to do it, does not wear off. The support from the guardaria was amazing and now all the kids are washing their hands with running water and soap.


Unfortunately whilst sex and sodis have been successful, other things I have worked on have failed dismally like finance workshops. Not to be defeated I am now just looking at different approaches to still bring this to the community.

I have also been busy making contacts throughout various organisations that are showing me the huge potential to help the community. Hoping that these will bear the fruits of HIV tests and dedicated nutritionist just to name a few in the near future.

Still loving hanging out with 2 year olds and participating in all the random celebrations that Bolivian culture has to offer. The day at the river we fished, played games and slept on the grass was definitely a highlight!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at eliza_wall@yahoo.com.au