BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INDIVIDUALS who succumbed to the disease HIV/AIDS were remembered by the St. Kitts Christian Council when the religious organisation on Sunday (May 19) hosted a special service at the Bethesda Moravian Church in commemoration of the 30th Annual International AIDS Candle Light Memorial.
The Candle Light Memorial was held under the theme ‘In Solidarity’ and featured a variety of performances to remember those who lost their lives because of contracting the virus as well as those who are living with the disease.
In a message of hope for individuals living with the disease, Pastor Lincoln Connor stated that regardless of one’s race or religion, God sees everyone as “people” and that all were created in God’s image even though one might have fallen short.
“I believe when we begin to see each other in the lens of God’s eye we begin to believe that there is hope.”
He added that the message the church should disseminate to those who suffer is that “the power of God is able to sustain them through faith. We will only see the power of God come into our lives when we apply faith”.
Archdeacon Valentine Hodge delivered a prayer for those who are currently living with HIV. He called upon God to protect those living with the pandemic to and to calm their fears.
In delivering the feature address, Dr. Kathleen Allen-Ferdinand gave two accounts of her experience in meeting individuals who were diagnosed with the virus.
Dr. Allen-Ferdinand said that after her encounter with the individuals she started wearing the red ribbon, which is seen as the symbol for the virus, as a reminder to herself to make the right choices living in the middle of the epidemic.
She also said that she sported the ribbon to show support to the thousands living with HIV.
The medical practitioner pleaded with individuals to make the right choices and called on the elders to lead by example.
The service concluded with the lighting of candles which were laid down in the shape of the AIDS symbol as the gospel song ‘Go light your world’ was played on a saxophone by Kyshaun Bassue.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, coordinated by the Global Network of People living with HIV, is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilisation campaigns for HIV awareness in the world.
Started in 1983, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1 200 community organisations in 115 countries.
The theme of ‘In solidarity’ emphasises the need for people living with and affected by HIV to join hands and work together in the response to HIV. Solidarity in communities is essential to reduce stigma and promote the involvement of people living with HIV in order to ensure a more effective HIV response. Only together as communities can we advocate for universal access to quality health and social services.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial reminds of the impact that HIV has on our lives, locally and globally.
Attendees of the service were asked to wear red as a form of showing solidarity.
