THE STRUGGLES FOR AN HIV+ YOUNG MAN IN URBAN LUSAKA

*To protect our patients identity a stock image has been used.

Pearson, 19, has been involved with TTF for over six years. He is HIV+ and lives in one of the most urban poor compounds in Lusaka. To celebrate National Youth Day 2015 in Zambia, we spoke to him about some of the challenges and struggles he sees for youth in Zambia.  

Why do you think that it’s important to recognise National youth day and what will you be doing on the day?
It is important that young people are given time to interact with each other. It will give an opportunity for young people to act like young people and play games, and have fun, spend time with their friends.
 
What are some of the main issues that you face as a young man in Zambia?
One of the issues facing young people is school drop outs and lack of employment for those who have finished school. There are very few jobs for individuals in my community which leaves people with a lot of time on their hands.

TTF support youth through our Free clinic and through our support groups – how else would you like to see TTF supporting youth like yourself to have stable and sustainable futures? 
TTF should continue to support youth through Clinic and hopefully one day have a much larger facility to support even more people. 

You live in one of the very urban compounds in Lusaka – what are some of the biggest issues for youth in the compounds around where you live? What needs to be done to address these issues? 
Crime, and drug and alcohol abuse are some of the biggest issues I see on a day to day basis. Communities need to be sensitised on drug and alcohol misuse to address this problem. There are not any police around  where I live – more police need to support our communities. They only sometimes come for big crimes but if you get burgled you don't have any support.  
 

If you could wish for one thing for yourself, to have a stable and sustainable future, what would it be and why? 
Sponsorship to help me in my education, to be trained in medical care either to be a doctor or a clinical officer, then I can help others in my community.