On Thursday 25 August 2005, Chagua Maisha VCT and Youth Centre (aka HOPE worldwide Kenya, or HWWK-M), kicked off its eagerly awaited second annual Youth Talents Week (YTW). This was its first at its current location, and hordes of youth jammed the venue to participate, watch and hear messages about abstinence and behaviour change. An international line-up included individuals from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Denmark and the USA among the staff, judges, guests, contestants and audience.

Chagua Maisha is a project of HOPE worldwide Kenya (HWWK) in the town of Makindu, in Makueni district, which lies on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, 170 kilometres from Kenya's capital.

Poems, choral verses and drama on day one gave way to a community clean-up and beauty contest and modelling the next day. The Red Cross generously provided aprons for the exercise, which occurred around the Makindu Sub-District Hospital, and the hospital was kind enough to supply the participants with free gloves. Contestants in the beauty and modelling discipline not only displayed a variety of attire, but also answered questions from the MC's about HIV, reproductive health and social concerns such as poverty.

Day three had the rappers on stage and the audience in raptures. These performers also answered questions about reproductive health as part of their discipline. The dancers brought the house down.

Encouragingly, the number of contestants and audience was markedly greater than last year. MC-ed by HWWK-M program assistants Mulwa Kamba and Salim Mohammed, the YTW closed out with a grand finale, which followed a highly competitive bicycle rally, after which the cyclists had a facilitation session about reproductive health. Present at the finale were, among others, an area Councillor, an official from the Kenya Red Cross Society, and Malinda Wheeler, the country director of HWWK.

While the event was all about fun, it also had a more sober target - the communication of information aimed at bringing about behaviour change among the youth towards no-risk sexual behaviour and non-stigmatization of those living with HIV. Indeed, three ladies living with HIV who are from the support group hosted by HWWK-M, sang at the finale and one of them spoke to the audience about living positively.

The response of many who were involved in the event was emphatic. Emily Kavinya, quoted in the Chagua Maisha newsletter, "The Eye Opener," said, "Talents Week is fine, because it helps youths to change behaviors and habits and to know what's right and wrong. Nowadays there is AIDS so we should look for one partner or chill (abstain)." Frederick, who won the bicycle rally, said afterwards, "Practicing a talent will always keep you away from idleness and keep you from things like drugs and sexual immorality."

According to Roman Wamae, "I saw this young generation being taught the dangers of HIV using the word "nime-chill" (Translation: "I've said 'no' to pre-marital sex."). I was happy to see their talents. Talents are an anchor for anyone in this world and can make him stand before great men."

As Chagua Maisha's newsletter, "The Eye Opener," put it, the YTW was "a flamboyant, entertaining and captivating event!" We look forward to next year's fiesta, but more importantly to achieving the target of this year's festivities having an impact on the youth in and around Makindu.

---