Our second event was held in Sena, the main market area on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria. We loaded all our equipment, materials, bags – and ourselves – into 2 boats and made the crossing from Mbita. After a session preparing materials in the hotel common area, we went over early to check out the event location.
After the hectic arrival and set up of our last event, it was very welcome to have plenty of time to set up and talk to the local children who were very excited about the upcoming match. Partners PS Kenya had been mobilising people on the island all day, and many arrived long before the match began to receive HIV testing services, with a steady stream of people queuing throughout the event.
Community health workers kicked off the awareness-raising activities with some initial information on prevention of HIV, including an explanation of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) as well as condom use. When they opened up for questions, prizes were given to those initially asking questions, which encouraged a very open and in depth discussion – so involving that it continued into the first minutes of the match.
