Statement of Qualification
Describe as best as you can why you feel you should be considered for scholarship to the conference
Anybody who has, or is working in the university as a peer counselor or educator would agree with me this is the most challenging area of all target areas. University students are known, rightly or wrongly, to be rowdy, chaotic and outright disrespectful. Yet their questionable behavior should be the focal point of any peer education in campus. The character exhibited by ‘comrades’ is a fertile ground for misbehavior and reckless sexual encounters. As a student in the university, it is a fact that this is the most high risk place. Chances of infection and re-infection are high in campuses and unprotected sex with multiple partners is astronomically high. Therefore, one who deals with HIV and AIDS issues in the university should be well equipped mentally to deal with this fact. I believe my participation in the conference will help in my work as a student counselor.
Another challenge in universities is the notion of ‘same generation’. Because all students are presumed by their colleagues to be in the same level i.e agewise and mentally, it thus becomes difficult for a student to counsel others. Yet this is what we do all the time in campus. It helps tremendously to have great and wide knowledge in the area of expertise and be confident of whatever piece of information you are passing across. Students might ask you questions that are just meant to embarrass you, but the trick is to answer the question with such gusto that it becomes an intelligent answer. It has been my observation that university students are wont to lose interest very fast. Therefore, a peer counselor in the university, like me, should have the skills and knowledge required. The conference therefore is a godsend opportunity for me to learn more information. My participation in the conference would be crucial in ensuring I gain the necessary skills that will help me in disseminating information during our programs.
A new challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS is the issue of Men having Sex with Men (MSM). This being a new issue, most people, including me, have scanty information about. Chances of Men having Sex with Men in universities is rampant and this should be a cause for concern for the peer educators and counselor in the institutions. Gays and Lesbians are rapidly gaining number in the country and by extension to our universities. While I can not claim for sure that this trend is rampant in my university, I also, can not rule it out. Possibilities abound, I believe. In this regard, those who work in universities should also acquire the necessary knowledge and gain the required skills to combat this new and worrying trend. Peer counselors and educators should be equipped to clearly manage this trend as well as to keeping an interesting dialogue. A workable formula should also be brought forth. The only way to deal with this is during the upcoming conference. With open and candid discussions, honest dialogue, healthy discourse and conscious debate, delegates should find a common ground in the fight against this trend. My participation would, therefore, be crucial in not only adding my voice in the debate but also learn from seasoned and experienced experts in the field. This would be crucial in my university as it will give us the necessary traction to move our programs.
A lot has been said about behavior change in most at risk places such as the universities. Yet what many fail to realize is that behavior is unique to each and every environment. Therefore, solutions and ideas to behavior are also unique. What might work in the University of Nairobi might not work in Maseno University or Kabianga University College. It therefore becomes necessary for the players in the field to brainstorm on the issues with the ultimate goal being finding realistic and unique solutions that should fit in the different environments. The conference provides such a platform to deliberate and discuss. My participation in the event would be of tremendous benefit to me as it will ensure that I will be part of the solution to advocate for behavior change.
As a 3rd year student, I am soon graduating out of the university. The conference provides a good opportunity for me to interact and socialize with the people who have been in the field for sometime. In the current world, social networks are crucial in one’s professional and personal growth. Secondly, my participation will ensure a continuity of the programs in campus after my departure. The experience I will have gained will be transferred to the members.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that you will consider my application to the conference as I am sure it will be of tremendous benefit and significance to me.
