Social Security fights AIDS…
This morning Belize City Mayor David Fonseca was among a pack of nine riders who cycled from Corozal Town to Belize City. It was the first leg of a four day journey that will take riders to Belmopan, San Ignacio, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. “Ride Across Belize” is an initiative by the Social Security Board to help alleviate the AIDS crisis in Belize. It is estimated that close to three thousand people in the country are living with the deadly virus. Following the riders’ arrival in Belize City, the S.S.B. held a short ceremony to welcome the cyclists and give donations totalling over seventy-one thousand dollars to the Alliance Against AIDS and the National AIDS Commission.
Narda Garcia, C.E.O., Social Security Board
“I am honoured today to hand over a donation of sixty-five thousand dollars to Alliance Against AIDS on behalf of the Social Security Board to help carry out education about HIV/AIDS. I have also been asked to present six thousand plus dollars raised by the Social Security staff and other organisations and companies that have donated on behalf of the Social Security Board.”
Dolores Balderamos?Garcia, Ambassador/Special Envoy, HIV/AIDS
“We know the awful statistics that more than one Belizean everyday is becoming infected with HIV. But we also know the positive side and know pun particularly intended, but I think we can use the word positive in a positive way for us to continue fighting HIV.”
On Saturday the group of riders will be heading to Belmopan and then onto San Ignacio, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. The public is encouraged to make financial donations as the cyclists ride through their communities.
