Guyana Red Cross branches join partners for WAD 2006

The Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) -Lethem branch partnered with the Regional Multi-Sectorial HIV/AIDS Committee to host  World AIDS Day (WAD) 2006 activities in Lethem. 

Red Cross youths, volunteers, and other community members gathered nearly everyday for two weeks prior to WAD to paint a mural.  Appropriately placed in front of the Regional Democratic Council offices and Lethem Post Office, the mural depicts a central image of Guyana with an AIDS ribbon around it, surrounded on either side by a total of ten anti-stigma and discrimination stamps.

On the morning of Dec. 1st, WAD, the mural was unveiled during a ceremony attended by and estimated 75 regional representatives, volunteers, health sector representatives and community members (60 of whom were 10-24 years old).

 Immediately following the ceremony attendees gathered together behind two WAD banners and rallied through the streets of Lethem to the GRCS office where refreshments were served and HIV/AIDS reduction/prevention and anti-stigma and discrimination materials were distributed.
  
The evening event, consisting of a youth-friendly concert and candle light vigil, brought about 150 people to the Lethem Community Centre. 

The concert ended with a moment of silence while a red candle was lit and a drum beat for every person who died of AIDS related illnesses last year in the Caribbean. 

Attendees stood quietly as 68 drum beats wrung out and lit candles spread throughout the soundless crowd.  Participants then took their candles outside and placed them in a box and watched as the candles resisted the wind before extinguishing. 

Similar WAD activities were conducted by volunteers in Annai, Surama, Shulinab and Karasabai. 

At Shulinab, volunteers Nicholas Fredericks and Cluadine Romsindo organised for a similar activity at the SCPDA office in Shulinab where an estimated 50 persons were in attendance. At Karasasbai, volunteer Victorine Rodrigues organised for a similar activity at the Youth Initiative building where an estimated 70 persons were in attendance.  The group played drums throughout the village during their walk.

At Surama, PCV Daniel Williams organised a picnic at one of the creeks in the village.  During the picnic for 20, games to test the young people’s knowledge on HIV and other STIs were played.  At Annai, volunteers Bryan Williams and Renella Hamilton organised a small march and ceremony at the Annai Secondary School where an estimated 120 persons were in attendance.  A planned mural was not painted as the paints arrived too late.