Students bring importance of Mentoring and Health Awareness back to CAU
By: Sherrie Green
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Student Life
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The seminar welcomed keynote speakers, Sr. Health Educator for Planned Parenthood, William Moore, Sr., CAU's SGA President LeVonn Brown, alum Jason Roberts, and offered a personal testimony by youth minister and mentor, Jamil Willis.
Willis, who addressed what he called the "Georgia Address," revealed several alarming statistics, stating that Georgia was "number one for syphilis, number six for gonorrhea, and number nine for HIV" in the nation.
"I never thought about statistics, until I became one," Willis said.
Willis' personal battle with HIV hit close to home as he addressed once being a student in college and being careless when it came to sexual intercourse.
"I never asked my partners how many partners they've had or if they have been tested for the virus. I had a lot of sex with a lot of different people, but not once did I ask the right questions," Willis said.
Willlis' painful testimony turned slightly inspirational as he talked about his decision to stop taking medicine and testified to having a reported healthy immune system since May. Willis now serves as a youth minister and motivational speaker telling his story in efforts to promote safer sex.
"I went through the shame and the constant thoughts of me dying. I have overcome dealing with my mom not wanting to eat off the same plate or drink from the same cup as me. I've evolved from churches booking me to speak but once they found out I was positive, revoking their invitation and its all because they just don't know [about the disease,]" Willis said.
"I have found a way to use my misery as my ministry" he said in reference to his passion for mentoring.
Coinciding with Willis' personal battle with HIV, Moore presented to students a different look into the world of sexuality. Equip with a slide show full of important facts about STD's and STI's, Moore also provided students with tables full of pamphlets, brochures, and various means of protection, advocating safer sex.
