Phase One of Kicking AIDS Out Programme ends!

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter, SKNVibes.com

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – ACTING Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Nicole Slack-Liburd said that the Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit’s “Kicking AIDS Out Programme” (KAO) for 2008 has concluded.

In a press statement issued yesterday (Dec. 4), Slack-Liburd said the KAO model was adapted from Africa in 2001 and has expanded throughout the world. It came to Nevis some two years ago and is coordinated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with the Nevis HIV/AIDS Coordinating Unit.

The programme, Slack-Liburd explained, aims to educate youth about HIV/AIDS through sports and it was initially held for three to four days during the Easter holidays.

The Nevis HIV/AIDS Unit decided to take the initiative and expand this programme into an after school activity in which youth were able to receive HIV/AIDS education and simultaneously develop skills in football, with the ultimate goal being the establishment of  a youth soccer team. ~~Adz:Right~~

This project was proposed and accepted by the OECS HIV/AIDS Project Unit, which manages a Global Fund grant for member states. The six-week programme began at the Gingerland and Charlestown High Schools in September this year.

“Response to this programme was overwhelming with 25 registrants at Charlestown Secondary School and 30 at Gingerland High School. These participants were from the first form with majority of the participants being female. The NACU was pleased with the gender composition as females are disproportionately affected by the disease compared to their male counterparts,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Slack-Liburd said that the NACU intends to have this programme on a continuous basis and plans are in place for its resumption February. A programme is also planned for next year Easter. 

“We welcome partnership from business houses in this initiative, as a sign of their commitment to take a leadership role in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Slack-Liburd said.