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Children confront HIV/AIDS
As the balloons were released.
HIV has no face; it does not discriminate. As part of the numerous activities carried out in recognition of World AIDS Day, the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) hosted an interfaith programme at the National Cultural Centre.
Of all the commendable aspects of the programme; what was most significant, in the opinion of many who were part of the proceedings, was the point where approximately 150 children gathered on the National Cultural Centre in a circle described as “the circle of love”.
In the centre were children whose faces were painted in the identical design. The face painting was done with the intention of portraying the reality of HIV — “anyone can become infected”.
The outer circle also represented the fact that persons outside of a situation might not fully understand what those on the inside are going through, especially in the case of HIV where there are many existing ways of transmission besides unprotected sex.
Balloons were released by every child on the tarmac as a form of acknowledging all “brothers and sisters” affected by HIV.
The concept, though seemingly simple, conveyed a strong message of support, acceptance and also enforced the fact that one cannot contract the virus by giving moral support to an HIV infected individual.
The Ministry of Health launched two books that were solely written by Guyanese students in the primary and secondary levels of the educational system. The books are titled “Shattered Childhood” and “Silent Screams”.
The stories were obtained through a story writing competition conducted by NAPS to increase awareness of HIV and to show the increasing link between HIV and other social issues affecting especially young people.
According to NAPS officials, the collection of stories is a reflection of the reality, complex and intertwined nature of issues that challenge the young and impressionable minds of our children.
The issues addressed in the book are varied and range from domestic and sexual abuse to teenage pregnancy, alcohol and other substance abuse.
The students who won the primary school section of the competition were Sunni Nandu of Genesis Childhood Educational Centre; Lemanuel Ross of St. Ambrose Primary; and Akeiba McKenzie of Lusignan Primary.
The students who won the secondary school section of the competition were Shonette Walker of St Joseph High; Yashwantie Rampertab of West Demerara Secondary; and Kenny Bisnauth of Queen’s College.
Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, commenting on the students’ performance, said that he is pleased to know that the youth have looked at an enemy in the eye and instead of being deterred, they have turned “an enemy into an opportunity” with the enemy being HIV.
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