BUCHI MUST CHOOSE

To the teacher

Use this story for life skills, health, citizenship or science lessons, or as a Reader in English class. Through the eyes of a 12-year-old Buchi we look at the choices children and youn adults must make about identity, morals and behaviour. By developing a strong sense of her own identity, Buchi will be better able to make individual choices about what is right for her.

Young adults are more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS than anyone else. This story is an opportunity to look at the social context in which young adults find themselves, and the pressures they will be up against. Buchi learns how to be assertive, and the value of self-respect and respect for others. By confronting these issues through Buchi’s story, it is hopped that learners will be better able to confront their own difficult choices as they move into adulthood.

This is one of the JAWS HIV/AIDS readers developed for primary school learners.The story conveys the basic information about HIV/AIDS (health promotion) and the more subtle psycho-social dimensions of the pandemic affecting learners’ lives (personal and social developement). It can be used as a reader, or to help teachers introduce subject matter that is difficult to manage in the classroom.