Kids learn about HIV/AIDS
By Pratima Adhikary Auckel
Published on 1st August, 2008
“Warriors against HIV/AIDS” is a new project that involves students and NGOs to create an awareness among the youth and help fight the disease, which is a matter of serious concern in Mauritius. By the end of May 2008, some 3362 cases were formally registered in the country.
The idea for the project comes from a 15 year-old, Kiran Sooknah. A laudable initiative of the Mauritius Wild life Club, the Ministry of Health & Quality of Life and the Mahatma Gandhi State Secondary School of Flacq, the project was launched last week.
The project aims at empowering the population with the right information, the pedagogical tools and skills to fight the AIDS virus.
Surekha Ramful, acting Rector of the MGSS says: “We cannot remain relaxed in our comfort zone indifferent to the problems of HIV/AIDS.
“Today, we are witnessing the rapid erosion of values, changes in lifestyle and attitude in youngsters and this decline in moral values is taking alarming proportions. There has been a big increase in the number of HIV/AIDS in the country and only in May last 44 new cases were registered. Hence, we need to empower our young people now more than ever. We need to give them the required tools to fight this rampant disease both on medical and social grounds,” she adds.
Value based
Warriors against AIDS aim at addressing HIV/AIDS on a humanitarian level based on human, social and cultural values.
Prior to the launch, the project coordinator, Khemraj Sooknah, had a number of working sessions with the staff and students of the MGSS Flacq. It was followed by a workshop, sketch and art exhibition, talks, and a brainstorming session on the issue. Health officials delivered lectures on themes like the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS, precautions to be taken during surgical operation of AIDS patients and also the social aspects of the disease.
Surekha says: “The lines of defence are not physical. They involve creating awareness, inculcating the right attitudes and values and upholding cultural beliefs. We want our students to be mentally, spiritually, physically and socially prepared to face the challenges of HIV/AIDS. We want them to be true warriors and wish that the students collaborate with international youths including those from other SADC countries to join in this fight.”
Soaring numbers
The first HIV positive case in Mauritius was registered in 1987 and numbers have been soaring ever since. In September 2007, the UNAIDS office revealed that an estimated 12,000 people had HIV in Mauritius, that is, 1.8 % of the population aged between 15 – 49 years.
Warriors against AIDS aim at tapping the power of the mind by stirring goodness, compassion, love and respect for others. It is only with the power of the mind, the right attitude and behaviour that one can fight a disease, when there is so far, no complete medical vaccine to fight the virus.
The project aims at empowering the population with the right information, the pedagogical tools and skills to fight the AIDS virus.
Surekha Ramful, acting Rector of the MGSS says: “We cannot remain relaxed in our comfort zone indifferent to the problems of HIV/AIDS.
“Today, we are witnessing the rapid erosion of values, changes in lifestyle and attitude in youngsters and this decline in moral values is taking alarming proportions. There has been a big increase in the number of HIV/AIDS in the country and only in May last 44 new cases were registered. Hence, we need to empower our young people now more than ever. We need to give them the required tools to fight this rampant disease both on medical and social grounds,” she adds.
Value based
Warriors against AIDS aim at addressing HIV/AIDS on a humanitarian level based on human, social and cultural values.
Prior to the launch, the project coordinator, Khemraj Sooknah, had a number of working sessions with the staff and students of the MGSS Flacq. It was followed by a workshop, sketch and art exhibition, talks, and a brainstorming session on the issue. Health officials delivered lectures on themes like the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS, precautions to be taken during surgical operation of AIDS patients and also the social aspects of the disease.
Surekha says: “The lines of defence are not physical. They involve creating awareness, inculcating the right attitudes and values and upholding cultural beliefs. We want our students to be mentally, spiritually, physically and socially prepared to face the challenges of HIV/AIDS. We want them to be true warriors and wish that the students collaborate with international youths including those from other SADC countries to join in this fight.”
Soaring numbers
The first HIV positive case in Mauritius was registered in 1987 and numbers have been soaring ever since. In September 2007, the UNAIDS office revealed that an estimated 12,000 people had HIV in Mauritius, that is, 1.8 % of the population aged between 15 – 49 years.
Warriors against AIDS aim at tapping the power of the mind by stirring goodness, compassion, love and respect for others. It is only with the power of the mind, the right attitude and behaviour that one can fight a disease, when there is so far, no complete medical vaccine to fight the virus.