‘His Story,’ [RED] highlight
of World AIDS Day activities
PHILIPSBURG--A cast of 26 men from both sides of the island will take the stage for “His Story, In the Company of Men, Boys, HIV and AIDS” on December 1, World AIDS Day (WAD). The vaudeville, set for Philipsburg Community Centre, is part of an extensive calendar of events spanning from yesterday, November 21, to Saturday, December 8.
To kick off the activities, HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team (PMT) Head Suzette Moses-Burton presented copies of the calendar to Health Affairs Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus and Education Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams Wednesday. Also present was Assistant Programme Manager Cornelius de Weever.
Wescot-Williams encouraged residents to support the activities to heighten awareness.
Moses-Burton told the press assembled in the Government Administration Building that this year’s theme is the same as last year’s: “Leadership: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise!”
In keeping the promise, the PMT has designed and will launch a local [RED] Campaign in which businesses will have designated [RED] products and employees will be trained to actively promote HIV/AIDS Awareness. This campaign will be launched during the official WAD ceremony in the Government Administration Building on November 30 at 9:00am.
On December 1, World AIDS Day starts off with a Walk-A-Thon, organised in collaboration with Walton Gym and Fitness Centre, at 5:00-9:00am. United Telecommunication Services (UTS) will draw its vehicle raffle at 6:30pm.
As an HIV/AIDS awareness venture, the company filled a sport utility vehicle with condoms and asked the general public to guess the number, with the vehicle as the prize. There will also be special WAD television programmes during the day and the distribution of WAD dedicated edition of the Civil Server newsletter.
Other events on the calendar include a two-day Behaviour Change Communication Training for private sector employees starting today, November 22, at Carl’s Unique Inn.
A Family Exhibition organised by Women’s Desk opens in Philipsburg Jubilee Library Monday, November 26, until Friday, December 7.
Civil servants will show their commitment to keeping the promise to stop AIDS by wearing specially designed WAD T-Shirts on Friday, November 30, instead of their uniform.
Throughout the series of activities, WAD packages with up-to-date information about prevention, condoms, Red Ribbons and other items. Similar distributions will be carried out in Saba and Statia.
The calendar of events culminates in a Morgan Heritage and Young Joc Fundraising Concert in Festival Village on December 8, organised by Amahoro Foundation.
