Dear reader,

Depending on where you live you may be, as I once was, terrified about the notion of sex, and understandably so. People around you probably silenced the idea of sex, making it shameful, or just plain dirty, discouraging you from even considering it. At least the people around me did, I was convinced I was hell-bound, for so much as an uncontrolled thought about sex.

You see I grew up in Nigeria, where sayings like “Boys before books bring bastard babies” were scribbled all over our notebooks. However, upon moving to the States, reports back from friends and family started coming with news of AIDS linked deaths, something I knew little about. My curiosity started to peak, with tears shed for loved ones taken by the disease.

I set out to educate myself on the disease. What is AIDS? I found out that all of these had been preventable deaths. Had information been readily available to them or openly discussed, they would have probably known to get tested for STDs every six months, or use a condom every time they had sex.

If you’re currently reading this, it probably means you care about your health and are curious about sex, so pat yourself on the back! That’s half the battle. As cliché as it may sound, knowledge is power.  Take it upon yourself to find out facts, from people who hold no judgment, and will give you unbiased information about proper sexual practices, i.e. youth clinics (find one in your area),

A visit to a clinic is nothing to be ashamed about. Sex is nothing to be ashamed about, it is a natural, and enjoyable gift, when you engage in it SAFELY with the right person, for the right reasons, i.e. its 100% your choice.  You NEED this information, because whether it is tomorrow or 15 years from now you’re probably going to engage in some kind of sexual interaction, so learn how to protect yourself, because when it comes down to it, your parents, teachers, schoolmates definitely won’t be there to do it for you.

This is a guest post by Nosarieme Garrick

A product of around the globe, but loudly repping Nigeria, Nosarieme Garrick is a writer, and entrepreneur seeking to do her part in bringing some peace to this crazy world.