World AIDS Day
activities kick off
PHILIPSBURG--The HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team (PMT) will officially kick off the 2008 World AIDS Day calendar of events themed “Leadership – stop AIDS, Keep the Promise” with a UTS Harley Davidson Motorcade this Saturday around the island, starting 4:00pm from UTS and ending at Emilio Wilson Park.
Anyone who owns a motorbike is allowed to participate in the motorcade. One is required to wear a helmet though. At the finish line, an open air movie related to HIV/AIDS awareness will be played. Vendors interested in selling refreshments at the gathering are invited to contact Michanou Arrundell at UTS.
Revving up for the official World AIDS Day ceremony to be held December 1, the management team has organized a two-week agenda of activities which will run from November 19 through December 1.
In addition, Penha perfume store will carry out a month-and-a-half campaign in December; red-packaged perfumes will be on sale and proceeds from purchases will be contributed to the HIV/AIDS Foundation.
One of the major highlights on the calendar will be the [RED] Fashion Extravaganza to be held at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre on Saturday, November 29 starting at 7:00pm with a US $20 admission fee. The show will feature, among others, local designer Kaisha Peters, seven visiting designers who will display a line of red pieces. Each designer will donate one of their pieces to the PMT, to be auctioned.
Definitely going to seize attention will be the segment where “condom-wear” will be displayed. Each designer will display a piece completely designed of condoms. After the show, these pieces will be put on display at various locations throughout the island.
Other activities on the agenda include a presentation of the activities calendar to the Executive Council on Wednesday. The Women’s Desk will hold a Panel Discussion focussed on men’s role and responsibility in preventing domestic violence at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre on Tuesday, November 25 starting at 7:30pm.
Also, on Tuesday, November 25 and again on Thursday, November 27 a puppet show titled “A Cry for Summer” will be displayed at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. St. Maarten Cable TV will air ads on Cable TV Channel 15 from Monday, November 24 through Sunday, November 30 all day.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church will host a panel discussion along with a display of song and dance live on Cable TV and Internet on Saturday, November 29 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. The St. Maarten AIDS Foundation in collaboration with Scotia Bank will host a radio-thon on six radio stations along with free HIV testing on Sunday, November 30 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. On that same Sunday French St. Martin’s L’ Association AIDES will hold a solidarity run and walk at the Sandy Ground Stadium starting at 7:00am and also French St. Martin’s Liaisons Dangereuses will host a soccer match at the French Quarter ball field starting at 4:00pm.
World AIDS Day officially observed worldwide on December 1 will see locally a number of activities taking place throughout the day. Primarily the PMT will hold an official ceremony at the AC Wathey Legislative Hall starting at 9:00am. Rapid HIV testing will be conducted by L’ Association AIDES at Howell Centre in Marigot from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
HIV/AIDS Information and Red Ribbons will be distributed throughout the day at the various government buildings. Scotia bank will hand over the accumulated funds from its “Stronger together RED Ribbon” Campaign carried out with the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation.
The day will round off with a NAGICO HIV/AIDS Awareness march from NAGICO Insurances to the Government Administration Building starting at 4:30pm. Persons from various local businesses have been invited to the march and welcomed to pledge their efforts to work along with the PMT on promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. These pledges will be presented to the PMT once at the Government Administration Building.
