The Salvation Army has been doing a lot of work there, not only with tsunami reconstruction but also in the area of HIV & AIDS. For many of the young men that live there, employment options are limited. There are limited labouring jobs, at best temporary, and there is of course the seasonal fluctuation of jobs within the tourism industry... and the hidden - ugly - side to tourism, that is the sex industry. A team mate working in the area told me a story about the local 'Beach Boys' in March that taught me on a much deeper level, the importance of being in relationship with people...of journeying with them.
In an area where unemployment is high, the team in Hikkaduwa have been starting a lot of sports activities in the community to not only give them something to do and an alternative to sitting and drinking, but to build relationships. In talking to these young men that they've become friends with, they were gently asking questions about thier choices to engage in prostitution with tourists, it was clear that they were not taking ownership of the health risks involved, the risks of contracting HIV & STD's. They were aware of them...but it wasn't a factor in thier decision making process. The youth often have this idea that they are 'invicible', young and strong, "It won't happen to me" attitude. It is for this reason that no amount of telling them what to do, or awareness programs alone will change thier behaviour. However, sadly there often comes a time when either them or a friend, does become the person that it happened to...If we are not there journeying with them, we may miss that 'light bulb' moment, where not only do they now understand the risks you were talking about in very real way, but they turn to you for support and advice... They give us permission to help guide them on a path to health and healing.
This week we were out at "Shop 16" in Reservoir, Melbourne and I was once again reminded about this lesson, that we journey with people in order to bring about behaviour change, to bring about health, healing and wholeness. How can such different places, different issues, different cultures, teach me the same lesson?
'Shop 16' is an amazing...to say 'place' would be misleading...i will say family and community that inhabit a shop front as thier home. During the morning out there, we spent some time thinking about how care is expressed within the Shop 16 community, but also what changes have occurred as a result of the care. A common reflection was that care is shown through acceptance and respect regardless of life circumstances . But also how the care that is shown for the kids and family has slowly evolved into a community culture that sets healthy expectations on each other. For example, the kids expect each other to actually go to school, or that after school they will look for work rather than rely on welfare etc....this is a huge shift in the attitutes and culture of the area. There is real behaviour change, that in the long term will break the cycle that is often generational. But this only comes through a long term, relational and loving acceptance of people and believing in people's capacity to care, change and make decisions for themselves that will bring hope for a healthier life.
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