A Moving On Skit

Dean Taranhike is a multi-talented guy. A resident of Epworth, a neighborhood of Harare, Zimbabwe, Dean is enacting a skit in which he portrays Chikudu, a young man-about-town with a certain eye for the ladies. The ladies, in turn, have an eye for Chikudu.

In the skit, which Dean and some friends wrote, Chikudu's behavior leads not only to the pregnancy of one of his girlfriends, but also to Chikudu's own infection with HIV and subsequent illness. Other actors portray Chikudu's girlfriends, his parents, and the high school principle. All the actors in the skit are in their teenage years, and all have seen the effects of HIV and AIDS in their community, and all are members of the Post-Test Club.

"I joined the Post-Test Club after I took the test. I wanted to get some more information," Dean said. "When I learned about HIV, I wanted to help other get the information." Dean, 19 years old, composed a song about HIV, which he performs at meetings of the Post-Test Club. The club is designed to eliminate the stigma around HIV and testing, and to provide information, counseling and referrals for HIV-related services.

"I saw my aunt die from AIDS. I wanted to find a way to help," Dean said. HIV negative, Dean is committed to remain that way, and to help others, regardless of their HIV status.