Kerala - Kozhikode   

Reaching out to AIDS orphans

Kozhikode: Kozhikode Corporation Mayor M. Bhaskaran will inaugurate a public meeting organised by the Kerala branch of FXB India Suraksha (the Indian arm of the global organisation Association Francois-Xavier Bagnoud or AFXB) here on World AIDS Orphans’ Day on May 7.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, V.D. Mathai of FXB India Suraksha said that a rally propagating the message of World AIDS Orphans’ Day would be held on May 7th morning from Mananchira Square. May 7 is being observed as World AIDS Orphans’ Day worldwide from 2002. Statistics show that the number of children orphaned by AIDS would rise to 10.5 crore by 2010. About 15 to 20 per cent of children in countries with high prevalence of AIDS have lost one or both of their parents to the disease. These children are often mentally harassed and denied health care. Also, they lose the protection of elders, education and love. The definition of HIV\AIDS orphans also includes children whose parent or parents are affected by HIV\AIDS, use drugs, engage in prostitution or other illegal activities or those who are abandoned by families. The programmes are aimed at giving social support, counselling and medicines for AIDS-affected children. FXB is also organising painting contests, essay writing contests and awareness classes on World AIDS Orphans’ Day in association with other organisations.

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