S.J.C.J.C. Biology lecturers launch HIV Awareness Manual

While the youths have been awarded for their efforts, taking care of their education and health is a concern in an era plagued with dangerous diseases such as HIV.  That is why two teachers from St. John’s College Junior College applied for a US Embassy sponsored grant to compose a manual that would teach them about health. Earlier today the book, which was sponsored by the US Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program was launched at the Image Factory in Belize City. News five spoke to the Biology lecturers now authors Gian Cho and Kathleen Azueta about ‘Going Viral, a student’s guide to Reproductive Health and HIV and Aids in Belize.’

Kathleen Azueta, Biology Lecturer, S.J.C.J.C.

“Science is an interesting field especially for those who are not majoring in that specific area. So most of our students who are enrolled in the course are interested and eager to learn more about these different topics that Gian just mentioned a while ago.”

Jose Sanchez

“Okay and in regards to the syllabus and how it relates to the book?”

Kathleen Azueta

Kathleen Azueta

“The content of the textbook is designed to accompany the course on reproductive health and HIV/Aids. The content centers or contains a comprehensive discussion on reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections. It contains vivid scientific illustrations and images that help to further explain the contents of the textbook. So that should be even more appealing for the students; drawing their attention to knowing more about these topics. We will be distributing or donating the textbooks to thirteen secondary and tertiary educational institutions countrywide including the various campuses of the University of Belize and also donating some of those textbooks to public libraries.”

Gian Cho, Biology Lecturer, S.J.C.J.C.

“Our book, “Going Viral;” the subtitle is “A Student’s Guide to HIV/Aids and Reproductive Health in Belize. It is meant for students at the Associate Degree level studying a course on reproductive health and HIV and Aids.”

Jose Sanchez

“Okay. And the book itself, how did you structure the content?”

Gian Cho

“Well it si a science text book, so it has science material, scientific topics; especially regarding reproductive anatomy, reproductive function, viruses, the disease HIV and Aids and we are targeting it towards non-science majors. So we had to break down the scientific topics to a simpler level that non-majors—meaning business-majors [and] history-majors—can understand.”

Jose Sanchez

“In terms of its appeal, what did you do to make it applicable or acceptable or even wanted by your target group?”

Gian Cho

“Well first of all, it is non-profit so we are donating all seven hundred copies—we are donating about fifty each to every junior college countrywide. And that is because it is funded through our grant from the Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program through the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. We have a syllabus developed already; we have this book that is reviewed by experts in the field and we hope that other schools will join in the initiative that SJC is already undertaking.”

The books will be provided free of cost to schools and libraries as resource material.