A publication, aimed at teaching children about HIV and AIDS, will soon be launched by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), through its HIV and AIDS Committee.

The book, entitled ???Sticks and Stones’, will be launched at Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, Codrington Hill, St. Michael, on Friday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m.

It tells a story of a little boy, Anthony, who is forced to deal with the loss of his parents following a car accident.?? When his friends find out about their death, they believe Anthony’s mother and father "died from AIDS". As rumours spread about him and his family, the young boy becomes ostracised.??

Anthony’s redemption comes, however, from an unlikely source, Latisha, a girl who he used to tease in the past.

???Sticks and Stones’ is written for children ages nine to 11 and its main themes are ???stigmatisation’, ???discrimination’ and ???raising self-esteem’.

Beyond the launch, the BGIS is teaming up with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to incorporate ???Sticks and Stones’ into the schools’ curriculum, as part of an HIV and AIDS education programme.?? The aim is to heighten awareness about HIV-related topics, so children would gain the knowledge to make healthy and responsible choices.

Minister of Youth, Family and Sports, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, will address the launch of the BGIS’ latest publication at 11:00 a.m.??

jgill@barbados.gov.bb

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