The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Hand of friendship for HIV-affected

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 07, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Hand of friendship for HIV-affected

Special Correspondent

Volunteers engaged them in games to address stigma issue

CHENNAI: For the 25 HIV-affected people, Sunday was a memorable day indeed, thanks to the efforts taken by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation in helping them bond with 25 non-positive volunteers on Friendship Day.

Through fun, games and role-playing the issues of stigma, discrimination and marginalisation of those affected were addressed. The event was jointly organised by ICWO, the Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society and Rotary Club of Chennai, Gemini.

Empowering patients

"The aim is to empower people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in building bonds of friendship with non-positive people and develop and disseminate positive messages regarding PLHA,'' A.J. Hariharan, secretary, ICWO, said.

For the PHLA, it was an occasion to showcase their talent and skills and vocalise the experiences of discrimination.

"Only by speaking out, can we make our voices heard. As more and more voices are beginning to be heard these days [protesting against the marginalisation of PHLA], the issue is being openly debated and this augurs well for our future,'' a volunteer among the PHLA said.

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