Kerala: A helping hand for HIV-positive children

[Guest guest]

A helping hand for HIV-positive children

By Our Staff Reporter

KASARAGOD, AUG. 11. Four children who were denied admission to

schools owing to the fact that their parents had succumbed to AIDS-

related illnesses, will appear at a public function in Megral

Puthur, near here, on August 13.

Social message

More than their participation in a public meeting, their presence,

it is hoped, would be a social message against ostracising children

of AIDS victims.

Two of the children, who happen to be HIV-positive, are now studying

at a school in Kottiyur in Kannur district and the other two are

students of the Cheruvathur Government Welfare School, near here.

The four children will participate in a programme organised by the

Megral unit of the Kerala Desiya Vedi to honour toppers of the SSLC

examination.

Although, the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, had to intervene to

ensure that the siblings, Akshara and Ananthu, were given admission

in a Kottiyur school, in the case of the twins, Amal (who is HIV-

positive) and Amrutha, the local people prevailed over a section of

the members of the parent-teacher association who tried to prevent

the twins from entering the Government Welfare School at

Cheruvathur.

The twins were permitted entry into the school and they have now

gained the acceptance of the 40-odd children of Class One in the

Cheruvathur Government Welfare School.

Good Samaritans

It was Sister Jaya Ann of Kripalayam in Kanhangad who enabled

the six-year-old twins to get admission to the school. She also

helped them get their dresses and bags.

Activists of the DYFI also helped to ensure that the children were

not ostracised by a section of the PTA members.

Political intervention

The Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, had recently

visited the twins who, along with their grandmother, Janaki, live in

a dilapidated house at Cheruvathur.

The CPI(M) leader exhorted activists of his party to mobilise funds

to help the family.

The Cheruvathur grama panchayat has decided to build a house for the

three-member family.

The panchayat convened a meeting of people's representatives and

social activists at the panchayat hall today to mobilise funds for

the family.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/12/stories/2004081206120300.htm