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March 19, 2025Not an Ordinary Online Motorbike Taxi Driver, He Likes to do HIV Education
Everyone can be a good teacher. Moreover, being a teacher does not require a background. Even though it is underestimated, online motorbike taxi drivers can also be ‘teachers’ for their colleagues and customers. This is what one of the members of the AIDS Care Communities of Pringgokusuman, who also works as an online motorbike taxi driver, did. When carrying out his duties, he always provides HIV and AIDS education.
Gunarto, commonly called Gun, is a member of the AIDS Care Community of Pringgokusuman who works as an online motorbike taxi driver. As a guest speaker in CD Bethesda Podcast Episode 12, he shared many of his stories. Gun started joining the AIDS Care Community in early 2022. His participation was unintentional—like a stroke of luck.
Gun's journey into traditional massage training began with a WhatsApp message from his friend Suroto, inviting him to a two-day session organized by CD Bethesda YAKKUM for the AIDS Care Community. Since other members were unavailable, Gun was asked to attend in their place. Drawn by his interest in traditional health care, the opportunity for free training, and the flexibility of his job, which allowed him to manage his own schedule, he readily agreed.
When Gun attended the traditional massage training, he was not yet a member of the AIDS Care Community, making the experience entirely new to him. A few months later, he was unexpectedly invited to a regular meeting of WPA Pringgokusuman, where one of the key agenda items was the board’s restructuring. This meeting marked a turning point, and in 2022, Gun officially became a member of the AIDS Care Community of Pringgokusuman. During the session, he was asked to demonstrate the traditional massage techniques he had learned, showcasing his newly acquired skills.
When he first became an AIDS Care Community member, Gun had no idea about its work. After participating in several activities, he became increasingly interested in HIV and AIDS issues. The knowledge and experience gained as an AIDS Care Community member made him even more interested in exploring it since the AIDS Care Community has excellent benefits for himself and others.
Gun became concerned after learning about the situation and condition of HIV and AIDS cases in Yogyakarta City, specifically the cases in his immediate area. "There is a sense of sadness, there is a sense of sadness, there is a sense of fear if we do not overcome this situation together or prevent it together," he said, expressing the beginning of this concern. "After all, it can happen to anyone: our close friends, our relatives, our family; it is possible that HIV can infect all of them,"
Gun's family had no problem with him joining the AIDS Care Community. His family supported him as long as his actions did not interfere with his family and activities at home. He also realized that his environment was already familiar with HIV and AIDS issues. Gun's house is near Bong Suwung and Pasar Kembang, which are considered risky locations for HIV transmission. This condition has strengthened him to continue participating as an HIV and AIDS volunteer in the AIDS Care Community.
HIV is a very sensitive issue, and many people think that AIDS Care Community members are PLHIV, but this is not always the case. Gun education is more about conveying issues or information about HIV and AIDS to other drivers. One of the opportunities utilized by Gun is when waiting for passengers together on work sidelines.
Last but not least, Gun pays attention to reading the situation first, to whom he is speaking. He softens his diction when dealing with more senior friends and uses more third-party examples.
One day, while stopping in front of the Pasar Kembang alley with other drivers, Gun noticed a group entering the alley in a semi-conscious state. Amused yet reflective, he remarked, "When someone is already half drunk like that, it’s easy to be tempted. A little persuasion, and they forget everything—their family at home, the money they brought, maybe even their motorbike installment payment. Worse, if they take things further and forget to use protection, they might return home not just empty-handed but with a bigger problem—perhaps even a serious health issue."
Gun takes a subtle yet direct approach when educating younger individuals, ensuring his message is clear while respecting the company's code of ethics. Because this type of education has not yet reached mainstream audiences, he employs a strategy he calls thin education, a concept he developed from his training at CD Bethesda YAKKUM. His learning experiences include traditional massage and herbal medicine, the importance of condom use, and HIV transmission and prevention. These activities have given him a deeper understanding of common misconceptions about HIV—what actions people fear but do not transmit the virus, effective prevention methods, and associated risks. Using his massage skills, Gun finds opportunities to introduce these topics naturally. For example, if a fellow motorbike taxi driver complains about a stiff neck, he offers a massage while weaving in discussions about HIV and AIDS, using humor to create a relaxed atmosphere and make the information more digestible.
Gunarto was Giving an Education on HIV Prevention while Massaging
Despite his dedication, Gun harbors some regret about not having learned about HIV and AIDS sooner. One of the most profound realizations for him was recognizing, in hindsight, that some of his now-deceased friends had shown symptoms of AIDS when they were ill. At the time, Gun was not yet part of the AIDS Care Community and lacked the knowledge to guide them toward testing and treatment. Had he been aware, he could have encouraged them to get tested and supported their treatment, potentially allowing them to still be here today. This experience became a driving force behind his commitment to educating others, ensuring that no one else in his circle faces the same fate due to a lack of awareness.
In a podcast session, Gun shared a poignant memory from his school days. He recalled meeting a friend in the Tugu Station area who later became his childhood playmate. Over time, his friend moved away, and years passed before they met again. When they reunited, Gun noticed that his friend appeared unwell but did not inquire further. Sometime later, he unexpectedly ran into his friend’s younger brother, who sadly informed him that his friend had passed away due to lung disease and complications.
Later, Gun attended an educational session organized by CD Bethesda YAKKUM, featuring a doctor from the community health center as the speaker. During the session, the doctor mentioned a volunteer living with HIV who had since passed away. When a photo of the volunteer appeared on the screen, Gun was stunned to recognize his late friend. It was then that he realized his friend had already been in the AIDS phase when they last met. This revelation deeply moved him and continues to resonate with him whenever he discusses HIV and AIDS.
According to Gun, one of the most important aspects of HIV and AIDS awareness is the fact that HIV now has effective treatment, allowing PLHIV to manage the virus and prevent it from progressing to AIDS. With proper treatment, PLHIV can lead normal lives, including getting married and having children without transmitting HIV. However, he acknowledges the ongoing challenges, particularly the widespread stigma and misconceptions surrounding HIV and AIDS. Many still associate the virus with deviant behavior, and some PLHIV do not even know how they were infected.
Gun has observed that when discussing HIV and AIDS with people who hold stigmatized views, they often avoid the topic or change the subject. He is unsure whether this reaction stems from feeling judged, discomfort with the topic, or fear of being perceived as engaging in risky behavior. This has made him more careful in his approach to ensure his message is well received.
Despite these challenges, Gun finds great satisfaction when his efforts resonate with others. He recalls a time when a young colleague enthusiastically engaged in a conversation about HIV after sharing his experiences of frequent partying and nightlife. Moments like these make Gun feel proud, knowing that his message is being heard and could be passed on to a wider audience.
At the end of a session, Gun shared an inspiring message: "Stay healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. And to my fellow volunteers at CD Bethesda, whom I call heroes—never tire of doing good. Never tire of spreading important information, even if it is sometimes rejected or ignored. That does not mean it isn’t worth saying. Keep up the spirit."
His story highlights that HIV and AIDS awareness should not be limited to formal forums but can be integrated into daily conversations and work interactions. By spreading accurate information in everyday settings, communities can develop a better understanding of HIV and take proactive steps toward prevention. Through widespread education, Gun hopes to break the stigma and create a more informed and supportive society.
(Pratistha Citta Kintani)
