No roll in hay without tapping condom tree
The fact is that condoms are not being distributed where they are needed
THERE’S an unusual species of tree in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands that is helping to save thousands of lives.
It’s the condom tree, and for Lunga Zondi, who used to risk contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases by engaging in unprotected sex because he could not afford to travel to a clinic for condoms, it’s a life-saver.
“I put my life at huge risk because I couldn’t easily access condoms as the clinic is too far. To get there would cost me R16. So I often engaged in unprotected sex, at huge risk to my life,” said Zondi.
But now Zondi, 26, from Howick, outside Pietermaritzburg, can just pluck a pack of condoms from a tree — thanks to the local NGO S’khokho Community Health, which distributes condoms from boxes hung on trees.
The brainchild of public health specialist Jacqui Pienaar, the unique condom distribution project increases access to condoms for people in rural areas who live far from public health clinics.
S’khokho nailed the metal “bushcans” on trees along heavily used rural footpaths in Cedara, Sweetwaters, Hilton and Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
The project started in October 2012. Within three months, condom uptake had increased by 237%. Every year, about 120 000 condoms are distributed in these areas.
Pienaar said residents “were very satisfied with the placement of the bushcans and the availability of condoms since they can now actually practise safe sex”.
The project had also eliminated any embarrassment or shame about stocking up on condoms, said Pienaar.
Project researchers found that in some communities, people live 30km from the nearest clinic — and that most reported that they did not bother going to clinics to get condoms.
“If someone had condoms, they would use them, but if they didn’t have condoms they didn’t actively seek them for safe sex,” said Pienaar.
Women have indicated that they are now able to promote the use of condoms with their partners since they have regular access, thanks to the bushcans.
Sweetwaters resident Wendy, 31, confirmed this. Before a bushcan was put up in her neighbourhood, she and her partner engaged in unprotected sex, putting both of them at risk.
But now, she said, because she had access to the condoms, she was able to protect her health.
Pienaar said: “It is erroneously believed that millions of condoms make their way into community settings. The fact is that condoms are not being distributed where they are needed.
“People stay in rural homesteads, peri-urban settings and not always close to a clinic.
“Condoms need to be where the people are.”