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Tessie Udegboka Nkechi - My Blog
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WORLD AIDS DAY 2008
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Get involved: World AIDS Day 2008 Is Around The Corner
World AIDS Day (WAD) emerged as the first international health day in December 1988. First observed in 1988, WAD was instigated by health ministers worldwide who canvassed for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater awareness of HIV and AIDS on an international scale. The intention is to bring to our attention the global challenges and consequences of the epidemic, eventually reducing the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people living with the virus.
This year 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of WAD. For twenty years, WAD has stood as a time to jog peoples’ memory of the HIV and AIDS crisis, and to commemorate souls that have been lost to AIDS. Yearly, the campaign is an opportunity for relevant stakeholders throughout the world to plan events that highlight the HIV pandemic, raise awareness and bring about change. Also, draw attention to the crushing number of individuals infected with HIV and honour those who have passed away from AIDS. Many organizations also use this time to focus on prevention efforts.
The international theme for World AIDS Day 2008, “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise - Leadership” The international theme, I believe is developed as an overall theme which each country is expected to adapt to suit more specific issues around the epidemic in their region. This is the second year the theme is focusing on the topic of leadership. It is calling on everyone; including families, communities, civil society organizations, and governments to take the initiative in helping meet the targets.

Why the red ribbons?

The red ribbon has been an international symbol of AIDS awareness since 1991. The Red Ribbon Project was created by the New York based organisation Visual AIDS, which brought together artists to create a symbol of support for the growing number of people living with HIV in the US. The red ribbon became the result of collaboration between these community artists who wanted to create a non-copyrighted image that could be used as an awareness-raising tool by people across the world.
The red ribbon is worn as a sign of support for people living with HIV and for interventions aimed at controlling the epidemic. Wearing the red ribbon is not a sign that one is HIV positive as I have been queried severally. Wearing a red ribbon for World AIDS Day is a simple and powerful way to challenge the stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV and AIDS.

Everybody is a leader - What can you do?

WAD is not just about wearing T-shirts, raising money and marching/racing round the streets, but also about helping to increase the awareness and education, aiding in the fight against HIV and its stigma. Discover what is happening in your local area to commemorate WAD 2008. Encourage your church/mosque or organization to get involved. Plan an ecumenical special service for the Sunday before WAD or on 1st December itself.

If In Your Neighbourhood:

• Wear a red ribbon as a symbol of hope or distribute red ribbons at community gatherings.
• Put up some posters - get people talking about HIV and AIDS, raise their awareness and enlighten them.
• Organize a candlelight vigil at a community center or at a public park and invite local performers and speakers.
• Decorate a World AIDS Day tree or bulletin board to display in a local library or courthouse in memory of those who have died of AIDS.
• Write a letter or editorial to your local newspaper urging news coverage of World AIDS Day.
• Organize a creative writing and poster campaign.
• Set up a table or booth at an existing community event to display HIV/AIDS exhibits, posters, flyers, or brochures.
• Get children and youth to present drama transmitting HIV and AIDS information.
• Get your friends, family, colleagues or teenagers to express their feelings and expand their knowledge about AIDS.
• Send AIDS greeting cards to friends and family urging their support for AIDS awareness and love for those infected.

If At Work:

• Have a fancy dress day, put on a red ribbon and ask others to do the same.
• Ask your employer to help establish December 1 as a day to address the issue of HIV and AIDS in your workplace.
• Educate employees about the prevention of HIV/AIDS: display posters, flyers, brochures and invite guest speakers.
• Make and sell red ribbons, and make hand-made greeting cards depicting HIV messages and send to friends and colleagues.
• Have your company/office sponsor community events by donating products to local HIV/AIDS programs, organize an AIDS fundraising events (run, walk) or set up a display in the office lobby.
• Distribute World AIDS Day ribbons, posters, flyers or brochures in company mailboxes, eateries, and hotels or break rooms.
• Protect yourself and your partner(s) – the best way to stop the spread of HIV.
• Use your initiative and imaginations for example, I made local red ribbons and small hand-made greeting cards and gave to all who came for HIV counselling during the 1st week of December, 2007.

If In the Lecture/Classroom:

• Set aside class time for a special lesson or speak on HIV and AIDS.
• Create a brochure or video for teaching parents the facts about HIV and AIDS.
• Invite a person living with HIV or HIV counsellor to come and talk to students about HIV/AIDS discrimination.
• Create a special HIV/AIDS writing assignment for December 1: essay, poem, book report, brochure, poster or research report.
• Distribute red ribbons and information leaflets about HIV and AIDS at an exhibit set up in the school.
• Decorate trees, school buildings, classrooms, lamp posts, or fences with red ribbons.
* Prepare a current events bulletin board for students to fill with newspaper articles about HIV and AIDS.
• Set up a debate or a quiz - there are lots of areas of HIV issues to discuss
In all and above all get tested and encourage others to do likewise. Learn more about HIV and AIDS. There are great deals of information to be disseminated on that day, so avail yourself of the opportunity.

By Udegboka Nkechi, Couple/HIV Counsellor, +2348033842029


November 24, 2008 | 1:55 PM Comments  0 comments

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