Schools present cheques to
AIDS Ribbon Campaign
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Academy and Methodist Agogic Centre Reverend John A. Gumbs Campus (MAC) presented their contributions to the Stronger Together Red Ribbon Campaign on Tuesday.
Each presented a cheque for the proceeds from its sale of HIV/AIDS Stronger Together red paper ribbons.
The Stronger Together Red Ribbon Campaign is a joint effort of St. Maarten AIDS Foundation and Bank of Nova Scotia to raise US $25,000 for the foundation through the sale of red paper ribbons. This joint effort is one of the foundation’s few NGO/corporate partnerships.
The red ribbons are used to signify the community’s input in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Schoolchildren were invited to assist the foundation by selling red paper ribbons to their peers and individuals in the community for US $1 each.
St. Maarten Academy was one of the schools that participated and yesterday presented a total of NAf. 111 and US $459.50, while pupils of Cycle 1 and up of MAC in Betty Estate, which also took part, presented US $290.
St. Maarten Academy reported that its students had been able to sell 100 ribbons in just three days. Students of all classes sold the ribbons to their peers, while the school’s Interact Club sold to the wider community.
Rajesh Chintaman, Head of St. Maarten AIDS Foundation’s Prevention Unit, explained that the idea behind purchasing the red ribbons was to create a red wall of strength, as demonstrated at Scotiabank’s head office in Philipsburg, where many red ribbons have been mounted on one of the walls.
Chintaman applauded the schools that had responded to the plea to help the foundation draw closer to its goal. Just over US $21,000 has been accumulated so far.
Other schools that contributed were Learning Unlimited, which already presented a cheque for just over US $1,300 and will present an additional cheque on Friday as part of its students’ ongoing effort to support St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, and Sundial School, which presented a cheque for US $485 recently.
Chintaman said he was impressed by the schools’ positive input. He said their willingness to work with the campaign showed the foundation’s impact on youngsters who believe they need to be a part of the movement.
St. Maarten AIDS Foundation will announce the total amount accumulated from the Stronger Together Red Ribbon Campaign, on Friday, November 30.
