The field practicum class went to the
United Methodist Church Head Quarters in
Ermita, Manila, on April 20, 2024, from 1:00-5:00
PM. We have our closing session, basic
counseling session, and debriefing with
A.P.W.A.I. members and the deaconess in
charge.
During the closing session, we shared our learnings, realizations, and reflections on our exposure to the activities and the lives of people living with HIV. We have talked about our experiences during HIV Awareness at Wesleyan University, our encounters and discussions with PLHIV, and visitation in the shelter for PLHIV, the PAFPI.
Even though, we, the field practicum students have differences in how to perceive things, we have received a common message from the issue of HIV. We have learned that PLHIV doesn’t want us to pity them but instead they want us to give them 3Ps (Pang-unawa, Pagtanggap, Pantay na karapatan). They want us to give them our understanding of their situation, to accept them as human beings, without condemnation and judgment, to give them love, care, support, and hope, and to give them equal treatment and rights.
PLHIV are experiencing incurable disease (for now) and undeniable discrimination, but they still find the reason to live because they have found hope and love from Jesus Christ through us who are reaching out to them and continuously giving them the care, love, and support that they need.
At the end of our session, all of us uttered a prayer for the PHLIV and the whole organization and related programs about HIV.
Dear God, thank you for the awareness that you have given us. And help us Lord to act according to your will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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