It just doesn't work at times!

Why do some people refuse to learn from other people's experiences?Lets not go too far into prior generations before ours,our parents and elderly ones of their generation always told us stories,gave advice and tutored us using their age and most times EXPERIENCE as a knowledge base.''In our time..........,I know what I'm talking about............,It's for your own good............,'' all are familiar words that are often sirened into our ears to pass the message of caution,love,modesty,patience,hardwork,intergrity,e.t.c., into our hearts,to make us assets to our society and great citizens of the world.But we grumbled and often times listened to them,not because we reasoned with them,but because they were our parents. As time passed,some of their words payed-off and diverted us from danger,shame and regrets,while some we had to experience ourselves(like failure,disappointment,etc). Now,we have also assumed the status and age of also repeating such lines as ''In our time............'' to the younger generation.And we wonder! why can't they just obey and help themselves.Where does the problem lie?Is it the period at which each generation was socialized,the remix of values,or the diffusion of our cultures? Placing our hands on a particular reason might be faulty,but at least a few could be emphasized. Why do some people refuse to learn from other people's experiences? *maybe because they think they'll be different somehow. *the details or circumstances surrounding their situation will change the outcome. *they'll have more control over a situation than the experienced person in question. *they'll not feel the same pressure and stress. *their luck will run better. *they'll have more knowledge or information when the time comes. *their timing will be more appropriate. *they'll be more careful,they think! *others are more stupid to have experienced such. Despite all these,do the experienced ones keep quite and assume they have tried,or should they keep ringing those words and pray it will be internalized.Or maybe some people just can't learn from the experience of others;until they experience it themselves.It is said that '' Experience will be the cheapest yet most valuable thing you can use in life-if you decide to get it second-hand.''

A Mirage?

The world is continuously being plagued at a geometric rate with the HIV/AIDS virus,despite all that has and is still being done to reduce it's prevalence.The HIV/AIDS issue is one that would take anyone countless days to exhaust in totality.That's why in this write up,emphasis will be on certain areas of concern. Digressing alil',I was fortunate to team up with like minded peers running a National programme in Nigeria like myself who tirelessly dessiminate to people,especially adolescents in high school(via training sessions),the realities surrounding the deadly virus.In one of our recently held outreach programmes,a visit to women living with HIV/AIDS,I unconsciously saw a pinch of what it really felt to be infected.The visit was to donate tangible items to them,hangout,and share our love.We had the Press at hand to cover the whole event,only to be surprised at the reaction of some of the PLWHA;they ran away for the cameras,saying they can't stand being showed on TV.A particular lady I talked to said she always sneaked to their meeting venue to get drugs and other valuables they're often given,but keeps it a secret from her boss at work,whom she claimed would not hesitate to throw her out if she knew her health status.Among the issues raised by their coordinator is the fact that some members had after numerous counseling session came to disclose being pregnant.Another innocent victim,the unborn child,you'd say.But,these women despite being adequately informed of the possibility of transferring the virus to the unborn child can't still stop getting pregnant,basically because their husbands are not aware of their health status and keep having sex,and bearing kids. Why do they keep hiding and undelibrately spreading the virus we might ask,but the answer in one word is 'STIGMATIZATION'-fear of being discriminated,fear of losing loved ones,friends,their careers and a load of other things.There is more to lose by talking than by keeping quite.The world's battle against HIV/AIDS is counter-attacked by other issues apart from the virus itself.Issues like politics,greed,wrong problem-solving approach,media,vengeance,distorted information,traditional practices and belief systems,in a nutshell,culture. At this point,whether you're infected or not,let's all sit,brain-storm,strategize,and work towards a more lasting solution to this life threating disease.