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| General Manager of UDC Jason Kelsick (2nd from left) presents a US $5,000.00 cheque to Pierre Liburd for the troupe, Choices: Knowing is Beautiful. Looking on is (left to right) Geneve Mills, (NYAN), Marlene Liburd (National AIDS Secretariat) and Dave Connor (Department of Youth) |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (November 18, 2005): The National Youth Ambassadors Network (NYAN) tapped the creative juices of young people in its bid to promote responsible choices during the upcoming Carnival season and as a result developed a colourful solution with wide ranging appeal.
"The idea is to promote the choices of preventing the contraction of HIV/AIDS during Carnival," youth officer and CARICOM youth ambassador Pierre Liburd told SKNIS. "The conventional ways of bringing across the message (such as generic ads, posters, lectures etc) was not exactly reaping as much benefits as we would like so we agreed that something else could be done."
After numerous consultations with key stakeholders including the National AIDS Secretariat within the Ministry of Health and most importantly, young people, the NYAN decided the best way to do this was to literally join in the Carnival celebrations.
A troupe dubbed "Choices: Knowing is Beautiful" will participate in the Grand Carnival Parade on January 2, 2006. Four sections promoting Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condom Use and Don't Abuse Drugs and Alcohol, often referred to as the A, B, C, D method will make up the grouping.
"As long as we get people to think about it, (the consequences of HIV/AIDS) and discuss it & really understand the ramifications then we will achieve our goal and the impact will be life changing," said Mr. Liburd.
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| Poster for Choices: Knowing is Beautiful |
The idea of a troupe has resonated with many businesses, agencies and persons. Major support has been received from the National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Youth and U.S. Peace Corps. The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) recently endorsed this initiative by donating a cheque for US $5,000.00 to help offset the cost of the costumes, which are being built in Trinidad.
Liburd, who designed the costumes, along with Peace Corps volunteer Stefanie Bachman, said that the financial support is crucial, and it makes registration for the troupe affordable. Interested individuals can register for $100.00, a price many consider to be a "great bargain." "This is something new and exciting, and we are asking persons to come out and support this initiative," Liburd appealed.
Interested persons can collect registration forms from the Ministries of Health and Youth on Church Street, as well as the Festivals Secretariat at Port Zante
