Radio/Television seeks funds for AIDS care
It may be the biggest radio and telethon ever planned for Belize. “Living With Hope”, scheduled for August twentieth, will be simultaneously broadcast on all major radio and television stations to help raise funds to assist persons affected by HIV and AIDS. While much attention and many resources have been expended on how to prevent the deadly disease, the ongoing battle to provide care to those living with HIV and AIDS and their families has been largely ignored. Likewise the stigma and discrimination that often leaves victims jobless and homeless. As explained by UNICEF’s Programme Officer, Roy Bowen, the fundraising drive hopes to sensitize the public about the need to participate in the fight.
Roy Bowen, Program Officer, UNICEF
“We want people to understand that all of us have a responsibility to help those who are in need and this project aims to do that. So, it doesn’t matter how big or how small the contribution, we want people to be able to contribute because then they can say that they have done something positive to help those who have been affected with HIV/AIDS and you know the numbers are great and especially the children. Because what we are seeing now, with the number of people who have HIV/AIDS, there is an increased number of children who have been affected and we think that they must be given as much support as they can.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Living With Hope takes place on August twentieth right here at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. What will be taking place?”
Roy Bowen
“Well, “Living With Hope” is a project that a few people came together and thought that they wanted to do something positive for those people living with HIV/AIDS. There is a core group that an involves Ambassador Dolores Garcia, myself, James Sanker, Stretch Lightburn and a few others meeting fro a couple of weeks now trying to put together a program. The program involves a radiothon that will take place in the morning from about nine until about five in the evening and then there is going to be a concert at the bliss from about eight until ten. We have gotten a whole list of musicians who have volunteered to participate and we are looking for a good day in which we are going to provide information to people and hopefully people will be able to contribute to the cause.”
Bowen says they hope to reach an initial target of one hundred thousand dollars and have already received an initial cash donation of five hundred dollars. Meanwhile Bowen says Belize organisations in the United States have also expressed an interest and will be holding similar events. If you would like to make a pledge or get more information you can access the “Living With Hope” Website at www.livingwithhope.org.bz or you can send an email to livingwithhopebze@yahoo.com. Donations towards the cause can also be made to Belize Bank account number 680 ? 500 ? 3042. The concert at the Bliss will be aired live right here on Channel 5.
