50 HIV-positive children take part at a camp in Gandhinagar

[Guest guest]

50 HIV-positive children take part at a camp in Gandhinagar

The two-day camp was organised by Ahmedabad Network of People Living

with HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with the UNICEF

Express News Service

Ahmedabad, August 01: For HIV-positive children, a two-day camp

organised by Ahmedabad Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in

collaboration with UNICEF, on Sunday in Gandhinagar, was a platform

to enjoy life.

Sanjay Patel (14), a resident of Surat, came to Ahmedabad five years

ago. A HIV-positive patient, Sanjay had lost his parents also to the

disease.

While participating in the camp, AIDS was the last thing on his mind.

" I go to school and study hard. Most of my friends do not know that I

am HIV-positive, " says Patel, who wants to become a scientist.

Another HIV-positive boy, Ankit Soni (18) from Bapunagar,

said, " Though my classmates know that I am HIV-positive, they have no

problems. "

Soni, who has studied up to Class VIII, was infected with HIV since

birth.

He added, " In this camp, we have learnt a lot from the members of

Ahmedabad Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. We learnt trekking,

rock climbing and various other games. " Jigar Vyas (9), hailing from

Rajkot, also lost his parents to HIV, a couple of years ago. Vyas,

who has been adopted by his grandmother, said, " I am on vacation

here. It has been a good experience to be with kids and learning new

things from them. "

Jitendra Maharaj, a social worker associated with Ahmedabad Network

of People Living HIV/AIDS, said that around 50 children from 24

districts, in the age group of 8 to 15, have participated in the

camp. DM Saxena, Additional Director of Gujarat State Aids Control

Society, said, " We want to remove myths and misconceptions regarding

HIV-positive children. Our aim is to provide a space where they can

live a happy life. These kids are no different from any normal kid. "

(Names of HIV-positive children have been hanged to protect their

identities)

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=249432

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/7672

The challenge would have been including HIV negative children in this group.

Having a camp excusively for these children and publicizing it could be

discrimanatory.

We need to be careful why we do what we do.

Beena

e-mail: <beena>

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Re: /message/7672

I believe we must clearly delineate between the visibility and empowerment of

the PLHA vis a vis discrimination just because you see them separately as a

group.

The restaurant and catering services run by the PLHA network(GSNP+) again is not

discriminatory just because they have come out in open and getting mainstreamed

in the society as active members in quality service provision strengthening the

process of empowerment far removed fro any charity which certain philanthropic

organizations are willing to do.

We had a meet of of the Action Group for reduction of Stigma and Discrimination

on 7th August,07 attended by representatives of World Bank, UN agencies, AIDS

Control Societies,network of HIV positive people, Positive Women's network, MSM

besides the governmental and non-governmental organizations working for

containment of the dual epidemics.

It would not be out of place to mention that they were all highly appreciative

of the initiative in which the children were brought to a city in which they do

not live and because of the distances, complete restrictions of photography in

which the kids can be recognized; they was no way the positive step could have

been perceived as discriminatory.

This is not to undermine any sincere and genuine concern and I would like to

thank Beena for sharing of her concern promptly as we should not allow any

complacency as far as any possible discrimination is

initiated even through a well intentioned initiative.

Thanks and best wishes,

Dr. Rajesh Gopal, MD

Joint Director,

Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS),

O/1 Block, New Mental Hospital Complex,

Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

PIN 380016

Phone (O) 079-22680211--12--13,22685210 Fax 079-22680214

e-mail: <dr_rajeshg@...>