New Delhi: Adolescents say Chak de Yaaron to AIDS

[Guest guest]

Adolescents say Chak de Yaaron to AIDS

December 4, 2007, More than 700 school and out of school adolescents

participated and took the lead to pledge support to ‘World AIDS Campaign - Stop

AIDS Keep the Promise’, on Tuesday at Ansal Plaza, Amphitheatre.

In the backdrop of the famous Delhi mall, the adolescents shared their opinions

on the hot topic of “sex education” in schools. They reconfirmed the need of the

education in the reality of HIV and AIDS. At the same time they showed their

commitment to end all forms of discrimination against those living with virus.

“We may be informed about sex but we need to be educated about it” declared an

11th grader loud and clear.

These school students were from various government and private schools along

with some adolescents who were out of school. All students later took pledge to

be aware of HIV and for creating awareness on HIV related issues.

The programme started with the performance of a rock band ‘Ekam Satyam’. Youth

members of the band set the tempo of the event and performed music in a very

participatory way involving the audience. The band was followed by a magician

who played tricks while educating the audience about HIV and AIDS.

Dr Fiona Barr, Country Director, India HIV/AIDS Alliance commented, “ The

importance of the programme was highlighted in a skit performed by out of school

children that emphasized the right to dignity and wellbeing for children living

with HIV. It is important for children of all ages to realise what it is to be

in a family affected by HIV and AIDS”.

This collaborative initiative of UNESCO, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Save the

Children, PLAN, CARE, Modicare Foundation, Red FM and 10 Delhi based NGOs

ushered a partnership between UN, International NGOs, corporate house, local

NGOs and Media to accelerate programmes targeted at children. The programme

reached to schools who did not have HIV education programme and provided

opportunity to children in-school and out of it to interact with each other and

refresh their knowledge on HIV. There should be regular awareness programme in

public places more often was a general sense in the Ansal plaza at 12.30 p.m.

today.

Manisha Sharma

Communication Officer

India HIV/AIDS Alliance

e-mail: <msharma@...>