It was a sweltering afternoon at the bustling Nimule border post, where the noise of revving engines, the shuffle of paperwork, and the tension of long waits filled the air. Among the tired drivers parked under the shade of their trucks was a Kenyan driver named Abdallah Karim in his late 30s, preparing for the final stretch of his long journey to Juba. Like many in his line of work, life on the road was routine lonely nights, risky encounters, and little time to think about health.
As he leaned against his truck, two Peer Educators from the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU) approached him with a calm, respectful demeanour. They weren’t there to lecture, but to interact and talk about something rarely discussed at truck stops: HIV prevention and sexual health.
At first, he was sceptical. “I thought they were trying to sell me something,” he recalled. “But they spoke to me like a close friend, not just a driver.”
What followed was a life-changing conversation. The Peer Educators invited him where they stationed along the road and spoke about the high risks faced by mobile populations like truck drivers who spend weeks on the road, far from families, often exposed to situations where protection and awareness could mean the difference between life and death.
Abdallah responded positively, “I have taken many years without hearing about HIV and how one can protect their selves, thank you for calling me here and sharing this information with me.
He was provided with a pack of condoms, but more importantly, he received something even more valuable that is a clear, respectful demonstration on how to use them correctly. The educators explained how to check for expiry dates, how to properly put on and dispose of a condom, and answered every question without judgment.
“I had never been shown that before,” he said. “It was simple, but it made all the difference. I felt empowered. I’ve crossed many borders in my life, but this was the first time someone stopped me not to check my cargo, but to check if I was okay.”
Before getting back behind the wheel, he paused and thanked the NEPWU team:
“What you’re doing is not small. You’re helping us stay alive. You’ve given me knowledge I will carry home to my wife and friends.”
His story is just one among many, yet it reflects the real impact of the project “INTEGRATING SERVICE FOR MAXIMUMIMPACT” led by NEPWU with support from the UNDP and Global Fund. By reaching individuals in overlooked spaces—like border points and truck stops, this initiative is not only preventing HIV and STIs, but building trust, spreading dignity, and transforming lives.
Peer Educators in Nimule have been reaching out to high-risk mobile populations, including truck drivers, with tailored HIV prevention services.
