AIDS Competence song, composed by Eli and youth in Walis Station
“Why do you look so happy?” I asked Eli, youth leader in Walis Station.
“The AIDS Competence Process is really developing my leadership. I can talk. I can think. And also I can do something for the youth. I can make the youth and the community come together and do something together. This will highlight strengths in the community and it will reduce our weaknesses.”
When the facilitation team last visited Walis Station, the situation was totally different. Community members were concerned about the young boys and girls who were at risk to HIV. “When we boys take drug or alcohol it will spin our mind and we will engage in risky behaviour,” shared Eli at that time. Many young girls used to go to the city to sell their body in exchange for money. The unemployment was high and young people had not much to do.
The provincial facilitation team visited Walis Station three times and introduced them to the AIDS Competence Process. During the last visit in July 2008, something happened: the youth realized that they could change their situation…
Ten boys and girls decided to take action and to inspire their whole community to change.
The youth stimulated people to reflect on HIV. Once a month, they organize a coffee night to discuss the situation in the community and how they can change. Men, women, young girls and boys, all came together at the last coffee night to watch a video about HIV. “We all contributed to the success of the event. Everyone paid a few kina to pay for the coffee, one lady lent her DVD player, one other her screen.”
The youth wanted to address “the root cause of HIV in Walis Station, which is unemployment,” said Eli. To do so, the youth activities are oriented towards fundraising and skills development.
Young people who engage in criminal or risky activities like robbery, drug dealing or sex work, will not stop until they have an alternative source of income. The youth group stimulates the community to mobilize their own resources through selling bilungs (woven handbags), sausages, flowers or other activities. “If we keep the youth busy with fundraising activities, they will stay away from criminal activities and it will increase their self-confidence,” said Eli.
Many young people drop out of school because the school fee is too high. “The youth groups’ plan is to support the children of single mothers and PLHIV so that they can go to school,” said Ellen, youth leader. Eli added that “we want to organize skills building activities like sewing, cooking, carpentry or other useful skills. We can ask people in Walis Station to train us on these skills.” Moreover, the youth performed drama and a concert at the “World First Aid Day” through the Red Cross.
The initiative of the youth has changed the ways of working in Walis Station. “I realized that we need to focus on our strengths,” said Eli. “When we know our strengths, we know that our weakness will be reduced. I tell the boys that ‘yes! You can do it.” Men, women, young people, church leaders and community leaders are all involved in the HIV response. The youth in Walis Station plans to link up with other players in Mount Hagen to organize skills training and HIV awareness activities. “Cooperation is the key,” said Eli.
The young people in Walis Station have changed their behaviour.
The girls shared that they will go for HIV testing all together. “Some girls did not want to go for the test because they fear being recognized when entering the centre. If we go together, we will support each other, whatever the result,” said Jenny, a young leader.
Eli said with enthusiasm that “the use of alcohol and drugs has been reduced by +/- 70%. But I have a vision that through the AIDS Competence Process we will bring the use of drug and alcohol down to 0%”. A community member also reported that boys stopped doing ‘gang rapes’, a practice that used to happen in the settlement.
“I am so proud of our young men,” shared one mother,” and I’m happy I can sleep again at night. It is quiet in Walis Station now.”
Ten boys and girls decided to take action and to inspire their whole community to change. 
The initiative of the youth has changed the ways of working in Walis Station. “I realized that we need to focus on our strengths,” said Eli. “When we know our strengths, we know that our weakness will be reduced. I tell the boys that ‘yes! You can do it.” Men, women, young people, church leaders and community leaders are all involved in the HIV response. The youth in Walis Station plans to link up with other players in Mount Hagen to organize skills training and HIV awareness activities. “Cooperation is the key,” said Eli.