CSOs kick start Intl AIDS Candlelight Memorial campaign
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 18 2012: The year-long International AIDS Candlelight Memorial observation 2012 kicked off with a painting competition today at Keishampat Keisham Leikai community hall.

Altogether 36 children studying in class I to IX took part in the competition organised for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The competition saw 14 children, deprived of their parents, from Carmel Jyoti Care Centre in Imphal East wielding the brush.

The centre is presently looking after 48 children most of them living with HIV and AIDS.

Of the 14 children who took part in the competition 11 are on ART.

Speaking at the occasion, Shyamacharan, General Secretary, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and a member of the organising committee, said that such joint efforts will ensure people realise the need to come together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

For the first time civil societies organisations, human rights groups, lawyers, drug user and positive networks and NGOs in the state are coming together to observe the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 which falls on May 20 .

It will be continued as a year-long state-level campaign for solidarity in fighting the epidemic.

"This competition is different; we want them (the participants) to feel important and cared for.

Through this campaign we want to convey that each one of us has a responsibility towards people who are in need and help them live with dignity", said Phoni, Secretary General, AMADA, who was also present on the occasion.

Spearheading the campaign, the Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), a state-level network of community-based organisations of drug users, is planning a series of activities in keeping with the theme of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 - 'Promoting health and dignity together' .

The competition will be followed by observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 on May 20 at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal.

On the same day a candlelight rally is being organised involving political leaders and representatives of various civil society organisations.

Candles will also be lit at 14 market places in Imphal, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts.

In coordination with the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) candlelight prayers will be held in a number of churches.

Results of the competition will be declared and prizes distributed on the same day.

The painting competition is a part of the year-long observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 jointly organised by sixteen organisations- All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), Kuki Women Union (KWU), Kripa Society, Care Foundation, Lifeline Foundation, Dedicated People's Union (DPU), Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), Coalition Against Drug Abuse and Alcoholism (CADA), Christian Network of Positive Women of Manipur (CNPWM), All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMANA), Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) .

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