WORLD AIDS DAY - Dec 1
About the Day: World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awarenessand focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.
The Facts : Worldwide an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV .
History of the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation
The St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, formally the St. Maarten AIDS Committee, was officially founded in 1991. It is a non-governmental, not for profit, volunteer organization.
The Foundation has participated in activities around World AIDS Day, lectures/workshops for businesses, church leaders, youths, and Health Care Workers. It is one of the main organizers of the yearly International Candlelight Memorial, and has been very actively involved in assistance of the HIV/AIDS Program Management Team of the Government, and has done extensive statistical work.
The foundation is also active in the negotiations for cheaper antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV infection. Presently the Prevention Unit is working on a Media Campaign.
The Foundation is made up of two units:
The Prevention Unit , under which comes the Junior AIDS Committee
The Care, Treatment and Support Unit under which come H.O.P.E., the support group for Persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The Executive board of the Foundation is:
- Gerard van Osch, President
- Suzette Moses, Secretary
- Michael Frederick, Treasurer
- Ria Uiterloo, Chairperson: HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit
The care, treatment and support unit is actively involved in treatment of persons living with HIV/AIDS, and organizes support meetings twice a month. Individual counseling and support is also given to those individuals and families seeking such assistance. There are plans for a helpline for persons living with HIV/AIDS and regular media articles to inform those persons living with the disease but not (yet) willing to be part of the support group.
Over the years, this Committee has performed many Awareness and Educational activities. Gradually the activities have shifted from an educational focus towards support and care for Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Resources: US Department of Health and Human Service, St. Maarten AIDS Foundation