A full week of activities has been organised by the National HIV/AIDS Commission (NHAC) to mark World AIDS Day, next Wednesday, December 1.

It begins at 9:00 a.m. on that day with an island-wide HIV Drive-Thru and National Food Bank Drive, beginning and ending at the National HIV/AIDS Warrens Office in St. Michael.?? It is being held under the theme, Community Network: Driving Compassion in; Driving HIV Out.?? Persons are asked to look out for the yellow Transport Board jitney bus and volunteers who will be on hand to distribute information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as to receive donations of food items and toiletries to help persons living with HIV and AIDS.??

?????????????????? On that same day, at 8:30 a.m., the Barbados Employers Confederation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, will host a workshop for fifth and sixth form secondary school students on the topic, Securing the Workforce of the Future.?? It will be held at United Nations House, Marine Gardens, Hastings, Christ Church.

Then, on Thursday, December 2, at 9:30 a.m., the Silver Sands HIV/AIDS Education Committee will award students who took part in the HIV Essay Competition at the Cuthbert Pilgrim Memorial Hall, Moravian Gardens in Christ Church.??

At 7:00 p.m. on that same day, a panel discussion will be held on the topic Lights for Rights! Discussing Human Rights and Gender Equality.?? The event is being hosted by the United Gays & Lesbians Against AIDS Barbados (UGLAAB) and will be held at the Vashti Inniss Empowerment Centre, Ladymeade Gardens, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael.

Then on Friday, December 3, at 10:00 a.m. the Division of Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth will launch the comic book – Chain Link at the Lester Vaughn Secondary School.??

?????????????????????? On Saturday, December 4, staff of the Commission will be on-hand from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Supercentre Warrens to distribute promotional items for a nominal fee and to receive donations for the HIV Food Bank.?? Later that afternoon, starting at 3:00 p.m., the Ministry of Social Care and the Silver Sands HIV Education Committee will stage the annual World AIDS Day Fair and Christmas Concert at the Oistins Bay Gardens, Oistins, Christ Church.??

?????????????????? On Sunday, December 5, the Candle of Hope Annual HIV Memorial Service will be held at the Faith Temple, Wilson Hill in St. John at 5:00 p.m.?? It is being organised by the St. John HIV/AIDS Education Committee and the public is invited to attend.

The week culminates when UGLAAB hosts the 9th Anniversary Church Service at 5:00 p.m. at the Church of the Glorious Christ, River Road, St. Michael.

Red ribbon distribution and the food bank drive will continue throughout the week.?? The public is invited to support the various World AIDS Day activities.??????lbayle@barbados.gov.bb

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