The fight to end stigma and discrimination against persons living with
HIV and Aids continued today in Belize City where sixty at-risk youths gathered
for one day to arm themselves with information on what they can do to protect
themselves and help others living with Aids and HIV. According to Eckert Middleton,
manager of the HIV and Aids Education Unit at Youth for the Future, they’re
not asking these kids to save the world, just to show a little kindness.
Eckert Middleton, HIV/Aids Education Unit – YFF
“How a kiss on the cheek, playing basketball with somebody who is
HIV positive will not put you at risk and in society sometimes having that information
is not enough. They need to have a cultural change and an outlook on how people
are living with the virus and a personal evaluation of themselves to realize
that everybody is at risk but you’re only at risk when you engage in sex
with someone who is positive and doesn’t use protection.
What we’re aiming for us to educate them of why people discriminate,
what are the consequences of discriminating against someone, and giving them
the information so that they can make some changes; change your behaviour, understand
that they themselves could be in that position in the future and learn how to
cope with it, learn how to treat people with respect, treat themselves with
respect so that life could be much easier for everybody if respect is key.”
Middleton says they will continue to challenge all young persons especially
those in difficult circumstances. The plan is to hold similar workshops in Cayo
and Dangriga. The workshop is sponsored by the Global Fund Project and coordinated
by Youth for the Future.
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