GARDINER Rabukagaga considered himself lucky after being chosen to be part of the Stepping Stone Workshop on the effects of the deadly HIV-AIDS disease.

The 10-day workshop held at Nadave in Tailevu gave him the opportunity to understand the disease better. He had only heard of it through the media and around the tanoa back at his village in Wainunu, Bua, Vanua Levu.

He is part of a group of youths selected from various districts in Fiji to attend the workshop which specifically addresses questions of gender, sexuality, HIV-AIDS, gender violence, communication and relationship skills.

Rabukagaga said for all these years he was in the dark about the effects of the deadly disease and how it could destroy lives.

"All I know that the disease is a killer. But this workshop showed me what I've never heard before. What really causes AIDS and how do people get it was something I came to know more about for the past week," said Mr Rabukagaga.

"I've heard stories that Bua has got a large number of AIDS victims. I tend to disregard that information but hearing the effects of the disease in this workshop is an eye-opener," he added. He said he would find time to share what he learnt when he returned to Bua at the end of the week.

The workshop is jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Foundation of the People of the South Pacific International and Fiji Network for People Living with HIV.

Source: Fiji Times Online, 22 April 2010