Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/604/-1/135/
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OPTIMIST CLUB STAGES SCHOOL AIDS RALLY
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The Optimist Club in Anguilla made a significant impact on the minds of school children and adults across the island by its leadership role in spreading awareness about the killer disease HIV/AIDS.
On Friday November 29, two days prior to World AIDS Day, the Optimist Club led hundreds of children dressed in T-shirts, bearing the slogan “Where awareness makes a difference,” on a march from the grounds of the General Post Office to the Webster Park.
The schools’ Aids rally was chaired at the Park by Optimist Rosanna Brown. The short programme included the invocation by Chairman of the National Aids Committee, Sutcliffe Hodge; poems by Optimist Sandra Fahie; an overview of the work of the Club by Optimist Jerome Roberts and the main address by Youth Ambassador Tonya Carter who pointed to the dangers of HIV/AIDS and the need for awareness.
Sponsors of the participating schools in the rally were the National Bank of Anguilla, Caribbean Commercial Bank, Scotiabank, Cable & Wireless, Kenswick Richardson and family of West End, Fleming’s Transport, the Anguilla Electricity Company, and Anguilla Blocks & Sand.
In addition, the Optimist Club launched its AIDS Marathon on Sunday, December 1, at Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
Speaking at the occasion, President Fritz Smith noted that the HIV virus was having its greatest impact on the young. “It is with this background that the Optimist Club of Anguilla is embarking on an AIDS awareness campaign,” he said. “The Club’s motto is ‘friend of the youth’ and as true friends we intend to protect our youth to ensure that we all have a future.
“The Optimist Club of Anguilla is aware that the financial resources may not be available to deal with the issue as it should be dealt with. However, we believe that through education much could be achieved. This is the reason we have undertaken to carry out an AIDS awareness campaign. Our message is ‘Raise awareness, make a difference.’
This week the Optimist Club observed its 7th anniversary a highlight of which is an awards dinner on Friday December 6th at Sapphire Restaurant. A number of activities have been planned for the rest of the year, culminating in the AIDS Marathon on December 1, 2003.
