HIV/AIDS Campaign 2007 Gathers Momentum
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Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 13, 2007): With the successful completion of a Behaviour Change Workshop, the HIV/AIDS Campaign 2007 gathers momentum as preparations are made for upcoming events.
The Behaviour Change Workshop which ran from December 10 to 12 saw young people being empowered to adjust certain personal stereotypes and attitudes towards the virus and persons living with it.
This year’s activities are being held under the theme “Respect I: My Life, My Rights, My Choice” which falls under the broad theme of “Keep the Promise, Stop HIV/AIDS.”
Upcoming activities include next Tuesday, December 18th‘s Whistle Stop. Health personnel and volunteers will drive in a motorcade first through St. Peters and then east around the island. Stops will be made in the various communities in order to give information, distribute condoms and localized literature suitable to the Kittitian society and culture. Like last year, the event is a Cable and Wireless bMobile-supported activity.
The National VCT Testing Day which takes place December 19, will once again take place in Independence Square from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
An official from the National AIDS Secretariat took the opportunity to invite the general public to come and get free qualified and confidential testing provided by the Voluntary Counselling and Testing providers. She encouraged persons to “come out and know their status.” The official elaborated that Voluntary Counselling and Testing has taken place for four years and Cable and Wireless has been a valuable partner for three of those years. She said that each person who is tested will receive a free $10 bMobile top-up for their cell phone. ~~Adz:Right~~
Over the years, the National AIDS Secretariat, now in collaboration with the National Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (NACHA), has worked with the National Carnival Committee, specifically the National Queen Committee, to promote HIV/AIDS prevention. Similar to years past, the National Queen Contestants will be promoting various slogans of HIV/AIDS prevention, such as “Abstinence,” “Be Faithful,” and “Consistent Condom Use.” The prospective National Queens have also been assisting with the distribution of HIV/AIDS material.
Another activity of World AIDS Campaign 2007 is the distribution of HIV/AIDS information, promotional material and condoms on J’Ouvert Morning, Wednesday, December 26. This should take place during the duration of J’Ouvert on Fort Street.
