VALENTINES DAY CELEBRATION FOR PLHIV 2010
Date & Time:
13th February 2010; 11.00 am to 01.00 pm
Venue:
Prince Plaza , Egmore, Chennai
Organised by:
Indian Community Welfare Organisation - ICWO
Supported by:
Lions Club Of Madras Metro West, District 324 A5, Region-II Zone – I
Kumar Builders, Lakshmi Enterprises,
Individual Sponsor: Ms.D.Kamatchi
About ICWO:
ICWO is a non-profitable organization working in the field of STI/HIV /AIDS prevention among high risk population. ICWO also works among children vulnerable to prevent them from being trafficked for sexual exploitation and bring in quality of life. Indian Community Welfare Organization is actively involved in creative, innovative and replicable model in the field of STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention. ICWO previous innovative efforts were successful and appreciated through out the world. Celebration of Valentines Day for People living with HIV/AIDS ( PLHIV). ART of Love can make the PLHIV live longer
Inauguration of the Event:
Ms. Sarah Clymer, Vice Consul, from US Consulate, has inaugurated the Valentines Day for People Living with HIV/AIDS at 11.00 am. Speaking at the occasion A J Hariharan, Secretary ICWO, said that the challenge was to reach out aggressively with HIV prevention messages to marginalized communities and back them with adequate services. “When each one of us becomes aware on how to protect himself/herself from the virus and has the freedom and access to services then we can be confident that we have started to overcome the epidemic. Till that time our work continues,” he said. He added that the need of the day was to forge a multi-sectoral approach to deal with the issue.
Objective:
Following games were organized for the PLHIV couples ;
Picking up the red rose, Musical chair For your eyes, Know your partner, Needle and Thread, Undo the Knot, Count the pebbles, Head the ball, Boom the city, Tail the monkey
Participating Agencies
Ø Network for Chennai People living with HIV/AIDS ( NCP+) Kanchepuram
Ø District Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (KNP+) Tamil Nadu
Ø Network of Positive People ( TNP+)
Supported by:
Ø Lions Club of Madras Metro West. Ms.D.Kamakshi, General Secretary.,State Women Wing
Ø Chennai Kumar Builders
Ø Lakshmi Enterprises
The team consisting of 10 real life positive PLHIV couples from 4 districts shared about their experience and shared the hope for positive people on leading normal life. The PLHIV and Volunteers from different walks of life share their real life experiences to the general public. Around 10 indoor games will be conducted for contestants. Prizes / Shields/ mementos /Gifts for the winners will be provided for the games conducted.
Support by:
Introduction:
Event:
Ms. Brooke Spelman’s Vice Consul, United States of America has inaugurated the Valentines Day together with the Mr. Muruganandan, NGO Advisor, CAPACS, Mr. Abdul Kadher, Secretary of Alsamal and Mr.Kribani,Director Promotion of Alsamal for People Living with HIV/AIDS at 10.30 am. Mr. Rama Pandian, Director, TNP+ was also present there for the occasion.
Ms. Brooke Spelman’s Vice Consul, United States of America has inaugurated the Valentines Day together with the Mr. Muruganandan, NGO Advisor,CAPACS, Mr. Abdul Kadher, Secretary of Alsamal and Mr.Kribani,Director Promotion of Alsamal for People Living with HIV/AIDS at 10.30 am. Mr. Rama Pandian, Director, TNP+ was also present there for the occasssion.
Speaking at the occasion A J Hariharan, Secretary ICWO, said that the challenge was to reach out aggressively with HIV prevention messages to marginalized communities and back them with adequate services. “When each one of us becomes aware on how to protect himself/herself from the virus and has the freedom and access to services then we can be confident that we have started to overcome the epidemic. Till that time our work continues,” he said. He added that the need of the day was to forge a multi-sectoral approach to deal with the issue. Every community should mainstream the day-to-day concerns of the marginal communities, he said.
ICWO expect that the event will create an opportunity to discuss about stigma, discrimination, violence, marginalization, ill treatment, denial of treatment, privacy, quality of life, access to the ARV treatment and Nutrition for PLWHA.
QUOTES GIVEN BY MS. BROOKE SPELMAN’S VICE CONSUL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Ms. Brooke Spelman’s expressed that Valentines Day is all about celebrating relationship with those you love, and that is why we are all here today. First of She thanked Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO) for organizing this very special event and for working hard to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to care for people living with HIV/AIDS here in Chennai. As you all know it is important to identify people living with HIV/AIDS early on so that their care needs can be addressed and further infection to their spouses partner and children a can be prevented.
This is the goal of the ICWO and they do so through their programs that target children through street play education centers, children’s forums medical camps yoga excursion and cultural and sports meets. This is also the goal of the U. S. Government and we are working closely with organizations like ICWO as well as the government of Tamil Nadu, to make this happen.
She uttered that she would like to commend the ICWO for their important work, and encourage them to continue helping those in need. She also would like to commend those of who are living with HIV/AIDS for you courage and strength to continue living a full life and for your commitment to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS to future generations. She came to a conclusion stating that “You are all an inspiration”.
The whole team together with the chief guests took the HIV/AIDS pledge. The team consisting of 10 real life both positive and discordant PLHA couples shared about their experience and create hope for positive people on leading normal life. Indoor games was conducted for the PLHAs and Volunteers from different walks of life in Chennai and to create a climate songs on Valentines Day where played.
Games:
· Jodi Portham
· Untie the knot
· Number game
· Bombing the city
· Heading the Ball
· Eating the bun
· Couple mono acting
· Tail the Monkey
· Pick the Right Rose
· General Quiz
Each couple took part in the games and enjoyed to their fullest for the day. True love was expressed in life among PLHAs, an occasion for real life HIV Positive couples was shaped to create awareness on positive living and Created hope for those who are infected and affected to adopt the positive living.
Feedbacks of the Participant:
“We should remember those who have been infected with the virus. The quality of life for affected people has to improve. It is necessary to ensure that those who have been infected have access to health care and are able to receive anti –retroviral drugs when necessary, said Meena (name changed) a positive person who has been living with the virus for the last ten years.
“Participating in this event helps us to over come our, depression and pain”
“People do not want to talk to as couple this is a great opportunity to spend time with my husband and express my feelings” says Ratha (name changed)
“It’s the first time we are being called for such a good celebration and never before we both have enjoyed so much after being infected.” Expressed a couple
“We thank ICWO and others who supported this programme for giving us a chance and not avoiding us from the society “ said Ravi (name changed)
“I take this opportunity to thank ICWO for providing the nutritional support for us monthly and calling us to be a part of this programme” says Elizabeth
Prizes were given for the winners and shield & mementos for all the participants.
Goal:
Speaking at the occasion A J Hariharan, Secretary ICWO, said that the challenge was to reach out aggressively with HIV prevention messages to marginalized communities and back them with adequate services. “When each one of us becomes aware on how to protect himself/herself from the virus and has the freedom and access to services then we can be confident that we have started to overcome the epidemic. Till that time our work continues,” he said. He added that the need of the day was to forge a multi-sectoral approach to deal with the issue. Every community should mainstream the day-to-day concerns of the marginal communities, he said. ICWO expect that the event will create an opportunity to discuss about stigma, discrimination, violence, marginalization, ill treatment, denial of treatment, privacy, quality of life, access to the ARV treatment and Nutrition for PLWHA.
Media Coverage:
ICWO took every effort to reach out to the local print and live media. It has reached a lot of readers and viewers. Positive messages were disseminated through the Media about PLHAs. Around 25 representatives came from different leading media’s to take part in the Valentines Day celebration for and of People living with HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion
Weeks of planning and networking with the PLHAs had made The Valentines Day a resounding success. Bringing the PLHAs from different places together as a group made them recognize more of their value. PLHAs have felt proud of being a part of the Valentines Day 2007.
As a group the PLHAs were happy about getting an opportunity to express the feelings with non positive friends and a platform to create for PLHA to exhibit their skills and talents.