DanChurchAid
Cambodia
Monks teach HIV and AIDS awareness
| Momi Samnang is 27 and has been a monk for nine years. |
| Photo: Maia Kahlke Lorentzen |
The monk is sitting in lotus position on a rug in the large prayer room of the pagoda. His head is bald and his body is wrapped in a large, brightly orange pjece of fabric; the characteristic attire of cambodian monks. There is a calm atmosphere surrounding him as he sits in the brightly orange- and red painted pagoda full of golden buddha statues and smoking incense sticks.
”You might see me as a monk, but I think I’m just an ordinary human being.” The monk, Momi Samnaeng, laughs and breaks the solemn atmosphere in the pagoda.
”I want to help all people. People who are poor and suffer. That is why I teach about HIV and AIDS.”
A question of compassion...
Momi Samnaeng is 27 years old. He’s been a monk for nine. He teaches litterature, english and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention to kids and youngsters in the pagoda everyday.
HIV/AIDS awareness in Cambodia |
| Momi Samnaeng is part of Lutheran World Federation collaboration with local pagodas to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. The monks teach about HIV/AIDS at religious ceremonies and special classes. |
Momi Samnaeng does not se anything unusal in a monk teaching about HIV and AIDS, a subject likely to conflict with religious and culturally sensitive issues, like premarital sex. He shrugs and repeats that he is teaching to help people. He explains that he does not teach how to use condoms, but uses his religious beliefs in compassion and love when he teaches people to take care of themselves and each other.
”I teach about prevention, but mostly it's about compassion. I teach the people not to be prejudiced and discriminate those with HIV and AIDS, but to respect them as human beings."
HIV and AIDS patients in the country say, that a few years back being diagnosed with HIV was a social death warrant as well. The neighbors wouldn’t visit, nobody would share the same food as them and they were excluded from the communities.But things have changed. The HIV patients are now participating in village life on par with the other people in the community and their neighbors will help them when the disease troubles them.
Cambodians have high respect for their monks, so their role in this positive development important.
”I will continue my teachings as long as it is necessary.” He says and smiles.
