The Fulani family breathed a collective sigh of relief when the last of the children being screened for “the dreaded disease” (as HIV is often known in this part of the world) showed a non-reactive test. It was a warm, humid, sunny morning in the Nigerian bush. Every so often, a gentle cooling breeze would rustle the leaves and bring some refreshment to the staff and volunteers of the Spring of Life Centre, Egbe who were working in the shade of some trees at the semi-Nomadic Fulani camp at Akata, about six kilometers outside of Egbe.
We arrived at the camp at 8:30 in the morning, and spent some time attending to the necessary courtesies—greeting the chief and his elders, introducing ourselves, and obtaining the permission to conduct a health education talk focusing on HIV and AIDS and its prevention. … read more …

