A number of Anguillian children have attended the 16th HIV/AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada, from August 13-18. It was sponsored by the International Aids Society which invited young people from all over the world.

Mrs. Beard and the children on the trip to Canada

The children were accompanied by Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS Programme, Patrician Beard. “I was fortunate to find out about it because originally, they were only looking for people over 18,” she told The Anguillian. “I found out that they were encouraging others to attend so I was able to secure spaces for five members of the Youth To Youth Club.”

She said the club was part of the National AIDS Programme and was involved in producing messages for young people by young people. “It is hoped that they would be able to learn something from other young people and see how they operate,” she went on. “These young people are not infected with HIV, but they will see other young people their age who are infected or affected and they will get to understand what HIV is all about. They will also be attending different seminars and skills building workshops that will help them to develop themselves.”

The children selected for the trip to Canada were Kandyce Smith, Tricia Beard, Keneisha Gumbs, Shenice Dowell and Seymourne Rogers.

This is the first time that Mrs. Beard has taken a group with her at international HIV/AIDS conferences. She said there were no particular funds allocated for the travel of the Anguillian youngsters, but she had used some of the funding provided under a PAHO/CAREC Work Plan for non-government organisations to develop activities to counter the spread HIV/AIDS.

The money was used for registration and in addition “there was good sponsorship from the private sector.” American Airlines provided a very reduced rate and financial assistance was obtained from CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Hensel Phelps Construction Company, Anguilla Social Security Board, Paradise Cove Resort, Carimar Beach Resort, La Serena Hotel, Caribbean Juris Chambers, Anguilla Trading Company, National Bank of Anguilla, Caribbean Commercial Bank, Lake’s World, Caribbean Communications Network, Gem Exclusive, Cronic Design and PAHO/CAREC.

Mrs Beard extended her thanks to all the donors. “Your words of encouragement meant much to us. Without your assistance and encouragement this dream would not have become a reality,” she stated.

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