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Anti-Aids candles to be lit Sunday
2007-05-13 09:37:46
By Grace Chilongola, PST
Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW)`s Kijana ni Afya (KnA) will kick off the International Aids Candlelight Memorial celebrations with songs, plays and poems at Ibaba ward in Ileje next Sunday.
The International Aids Candlelight Memorial Day will go concurrently with the observations of The World Nurses Day climax on May 20th this year.
Speaking to PST, SPW`s Manager, Kenneth Simbaya, said this year marks the 24th Anniversary of the World`s largest annual community based AIDS event.
``This year again caring people around the world will link up to remember those who have died of AIDS and support those who are living with HIV/AIDS,`` he said.
He said SPW will light candles, hear remarks from people living with HIV/AIDS, health experts, religious leaders and other invited speakers. Schools and invited groups will perform songs, plays and poems with the message of the day.
In Mbeya Region, a youth led and youth oriented organization, Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) Tanzania, has organized the event at Ibaba Ward in Ileje District, Mbeya Region.
The annual event co-ordinated worldwide by Global Health Council (GHC) commemorates the lives lost to AIDS, demonstrates support to those living with HIV/AIDS and mobilizes community based response to HIV/AIDS.
In Ibaba ward, at least 1,000 participants are expected to attend the annual event, which according to organizers will start with demonstrations at Ibaba dispensary and end at Ibaba Secondary School conference hall.
The theme of this year, according to Simbaya, is ``Leading to HIV/AIDS Free World.``
The ICM, according to him, is an opportunity for everyone to dedicate oneself for the first time or once again to the fight against AIDS.
``We will join together in our commitment to continue our fight against AIDS until the epidemic is eradicated completely,`` Simbaya added.
SPW United States of America Board of Directors will attend the kick off of ICM observations, Simbaya added.
He named the trustees as Brian Yeatman who is the chairperson of the board of directors, Tom Mindrum, Hal Polley and Peter Aitken.
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