Jamshedpur: Helping hand for AIDS patients’ kin

[Guest guest]

Helping hand for AIDS patients' kin

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Jamshedpur, June 5: Oblivious to the fact that their parents are

suffering from AIDS, about 25 children spent their day under one roof

playing, painting, eating from the same plate and watching movies at

a summer camp.

In a first-of-its-kind effort in the state, a two-day summer camp was

organised by Tata Steel Family Initiative Foundation (TSFIF) for

these children. The objectives were to ward off the stigma attached

to the disease and strengthen bonds among families with AIDS-infected

members.

The youngest participant in the camp that started today was a two-

year-old girl and the eldest was a boy in his early teens.

During the two-day camp, participants would work as a team,

undertaking tasks ranging from painting to making fruit salad.

Optimistic about the result of their efforts to strengthen the bond

among such families and their children, head of TSFIF, V. Jagannath

said more such camps would be organised in the future.

" We have taken it up as a mission to minimise the stigma associated

with the disease. Through similar camps in the days to come, I expect

more people to join hands with TSFIF, " he added.

Officials at the camp said of the 25 participants, some also suffer

from the disease but none are aware of it.

" The fact that their parents, and in some cases themselves, are

infected with the virus has not been told to them as they are too

young to understand anything about the disease. Once they grow up, we

will inform them about the disease their parents are suffering, " said

an official.

" After attending the camp they will come to know each other better.

Later, when they need a helping hand they will get all the help from

the friendships they form here, " said an official.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070606/asp/jamshedpur/story_7882921.asp