Canadian globetrotter tours the world with condoms
By Ahmad Junaidi
JAKARTA (JP): "Say it with condoms" is probably the most suitable way to describe the orders given to a 42-year-old Canadian globetrotter during his short stay in Indonesia.
Bertrand Boudreau, who arrived in Jakarta on Aug. 20 after traveling more than 70,000 kilometers across 62 countries throughout the world by bicycle, was "hired" jointly by LAHSI, a local non-governmental organization campaigning to raise awareness about AIDS, and Condom Sutra.
His duty was to drum up publicity and support for AIDS awareness and prevention by distributing condoms, produced by Suretex Ltc. of Thailand and distributed by PT Sawah Besar Farma, free of charge to people he meets while in Indonesia.
The public campaign started in Gambir railway station in Central Jakarta, on Sunday, when Boudreau, assisted by staff from the condom distribution company, gave away condoms to passersby.
Some looked reluctant to receive the contraceptives although most eventually accepted the gifts. However the children who tried to ask for condoms from the campaigners had their requests turned down.
Boudreau said he was keen to help the campaign as many people, especially men, were still reluctant to use condoms, one of the most effective ways to prevent AIDS.
"Three years ago I made a commitment to myself to inform, educate, and inspire hope in people to put up a fight against AIDS by embarking on this world tour.
"I've called this mission 'Save our Children from AIDS' as well because it is the younger generation that are unwittingly ignorant and hence vulnerable to the disease," he said.
Asked whether people, especially, those in red-light districts were reluctant to wear condoms, he said it was a common problem.
"People in Europe, America and Asia are about the same in their awareness of wearing condoms. They like a kind of a 'free fall'. But people in Asian countries are the worst," he said.
He underlined the importance of advising sex workers only to accept guests who were willing to wear condoms.
Wearing condoms will help prevent them from being infected with AIDS, thereby enabling them to earn more money and live longer, Boudreau said.
"A condom awareness campaign works in red-light districts in Amsterdam. The sex workers there will not accept the guests if they refuse to wear condoms."
Boudreau said he would continue campaigning about the importance of wearing condoms to help prevent AIDS.
During his journey he had spoken about AIDS and its related issues to high-ranking government officials, the media and representatives of schools, health care centers and AIDS organizations.
He plans to write a book about AIDS and his experiences during his journey, which is scheduled to end in October next year.
The father of a 13-year-old daughter started his megapedal in August 1994 in Victoria, British Colombia, Canada. Since then the native of Montreal, Quebec, has averaged 150 kilometers a day on his bicycle.
The journey started after his daughter Kristal asked him to leave his job at a property company as he was unhappy.
The divorcee than decided to cycle the world, campaigning about AIDS.
"I'm happy with the journey," he said, despite many bad experiences along the way. These include being robbed at gunpoint by young men in a Central American country.
"I just gave them money and other belongings, including my walkman," he said.
But Boudreau's determination ensured such incidents did not prevent him from continuing his epic global journey to promote AIDS awareness.
He left Indonesia for Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday on the next leg of his personal mission that will then see him going on to New Zealand.