Dear Pastor,
I am very worried and concerned about a situation that is totally none of my business. I just can't stand knowing that such a thing like this is happening and I don't know whether I should do something or just leave it alone.
A very close friend of mine was by my house, the other night, and we were talking. She, then, brought up the argument about one of her cousins in Jamaica, who has the HIV virus, and had a baby the other day. She told me that her cousin, as well as close relatives, knew she had the virus.
Wasted money
When she got pregnant, a cousin from England sent money for her to seek treatment for the baby so it wouldn't contract the virus, because she knew that she wasn't working. Instead of using the money to get treatment for the baby, she used the money to buy herself the latest fashion, shoes and jewellery. I asked my friend if anybody knew that she was not using the money for what she was supposed to do and she said 'no'. They found out when she gave birth to the baby boy and the doctor told them that the baby was born with the virus. She said everyone was mad at her for doing that, but she responded that it's her child and not theirs.
Promiscuous
What worries me the most is that this woman, as my friend says, continues to sleep with various men for money and gifts. I asked if her cousin used condoms and she said sometimes. Her cousin would tell them to use it, but most of them don't like using it, so they just end up having sex and oral sex, without any of these guys knowing she is HIV positive. She has even told me that her cousin doesn't even know who gave her the virus, because when she was 13 years old, she got kicked out of high school because of her behaviour and since then she never went back. She ran away from their home several times and lived with various older men.
I am sick, disgusted and don't understand why this woman would be so cruel to still go out and have sex with other men that I'm sure have wives and kids and girlfriends who sometimes have no clue what their partners have been doing and contract the virus. Then some of these women, who also cheat, pass it on. Soon, before you know it, a significant portion of the population has HIV! I've asked my parents what I should do and they told me to leave it alone, because they don't want me to get involved, but my heart is telling me to call the police station and report this. God knows whose next? I have lots of friends and family, some living in that town and in neighbouring communities.
Pastor, please, tell me what to do.
A.G., New York, USA
Dear A.G.,
I was under the impression that every woman who has become pregnant in Jamaica today is tested to see if she is HIV positive. Was she aware that she had the virus before or during the pregnancy?
Sex worker?
Are you sure that this young woman is behaving like a sex worker? And she doesn't care whether the men use condom? Why don't you suggest to the person who told you what the young woman is doing to encourage her to get treatment? If they care, they should.
Do you have her address? I believe you do from what you have said. Write her and tell her what you have heard and encourage her to get help and also to stop having unprotected sex.
Pastor
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