There was excitement in the air as young girls who had successfully completed virginity testing were honoured during the HIV/Aids Awareness and Restoration of Virginity Test Celebration that was held at the Revelation Christian Church at Pfananani in the Mulima area last Saturday.

During the event, 120 girls participated in the programme. This kind of event is held annually and has been taking place in the area for seven consecutive years. It was an initiative by Pastor Samuel Famadi of the Revelation Christian Church. The programme started in 2006 with only 16 girls.

Famadi said that when he started the programme there were objectives he wanted to achieve, such as eliminating the ongoing spread of HIV/Aids, teaching young girls about the word of God and also helping to fight teenage pregnancy. "I also wanted to help these young girls to focus on their studies and their future rather than to become pregnant,” he said.

Famadi added that the programme guided young girls on how to grow spiritually until they got married. He also mentioned that there are qualified medical doctors who assist in testing the girls in the programme.

One of the girls who participated in the programme, Prisca Mudivhi, said that she was happy to be part of the programme. "I am turning 24 this year and feel humble. I appreciate the opportunity that the church gave me," she said. Prisca believes that God made her to be an example to other people.