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Apr 26, 2004

Methodist Committee combats AIDS

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HIV/AIDS is a disease that is of concern to all Belizeans, but how many people are really listening to the messages and, more importantly, changing their behaviours? Not enough apparently. This past weekend, the Methodist Church in Belize City held a special gathering to try and reach those most at risk and do their part to try and stop the scourge that is affecting so many Belizeans and their families.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Between 1986 and 2003 two thousand four hundred and seventy-one people tested positive for HIV. Six hundred and sixty-two had full blown AIDS, and four hundred and thirty-one persons died from the disease that has been affecting mostly persons between the ages of twenty and forty-nine years old. Today, Belize ranks the highest percentage of HIV/AIDS in Central America.

Rev Dr. Karen Durant

“We call on our government to recognize it as a crisis and to educate persons of the impact, provide medication and support for those who are affected, and provide support for their care givers.?

The disease is not only taking the lives of the country?s productive citizens, but children have been orphaned and left in the care of relatives or the government. Equally disturbing is the fact that although much has been done to try and educate people about the dangers of AIDS, so many people continue to live a risky lifestyle. Why?

Gideon Richards, HIV/AIDS Advocate, Toledo District

“I believe their convictions are not strong. I believe that they just need to have strong convictions that will cause them to change their behaviour, stand for what they believe.”

Doreen Ferguson, HIV/AIDS Advocate, Corozal District

“In Libertad, sex is like a part of their life. When they reach a certain age, it?s a challenge they must face as young people. And it?s very scary, because I believe that the children in Libertad feel that they can see AIDS in somebody?s face. And when they do realise, it might be too late.”

Nadine Francisco, HIV/AIDS Advocate, Belize District

“The fact is that they are morally blind and peer pressure is another thing. And some of them are atheists, they do not believe in God, so hence the reason they try to fit in with society, they dress, they show cleavage, bellybuttons, putting tattoos, just try to be a part of the crowd.”

Rev. Dr. Karen Durant, Belize Methodist District

“Our main message is abstinence, faithfulness in marriage, faithfulness to one partner.”

Since calling on the government of Belize to recognize the seriousness of HIV/AIDS in the country, The Christian Social Witness Committee of the Belize Methodist District is now doing its part to sensitise Belizeans.

Rev Dr. Karen Durant

“We decided that in calling upon the government that we need to do our part because we have to fight HIV/AIDS together. It’s not just for the government doing, but we all have to be a part of it.”

On Saturday, a number of persons both young and old were asked to gather at a one-day workshop to come up with programmes they will hold in their respective districts to fight the challenging battle with HIV/AIDS. The participants are members of the church’s district committee that is responsible for coordinating the church’s response to social issues. The men and women who come from the Toledo, Corozal, Stann Creek, and Belize districts committed themselves to make a change.

Rev. Dr. Karen Durant

“Be educated with facts about the disease, so we hope that they will go back to their districts, to their areas and be involved in the fight.”

Gideon Richards

“My thing when I go back is more to strengthen the youth who I believe are in a crisis; crisis, because their actions are unbecoming.”

Doreen Ferguson

“I plan to make a difference by reaching out to the youths, telling them the truth about the disease and how long it takes. And if they can control themselves, they make a difference.”

Nadine Francisco

“At present, I am President of the Dangriga Methodist Youth Fellowship, so conduct more on HIV/AIDS and other concerns.”

HIV/AIDS has been a concern for Marie Ysaguirre. Since her son died from the disease eight years ago, she has been a regular advocate on the campaign trail.

Marie Ysaguirre, Advocate, HIV/AIDS

“His death and my experience during his illness, I just couldn?t picture just keeping my mouth close and knowing that there were other people going through what I went through and what he went through for that matter.”

“I have done workshops at Gwen Liz High School for the last three years. Every World AIDS Week, I do a workshop there for the whole week for the parents, the teachers, and the students.”

Ysaguirre believes parents must also speak to their sons and daughters about HIV/AIDS and measures they can take to protect themselves. The workshop coordinator, Reverend Karen Durant, says they do not promote the use of condoms, but ask youths to abstain from sex. However, if they decide to continue being sexually active then they should use whatever protection is available. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.

Saturday’s workshop was officially opened by the Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Dolores Balderamos?Garcia. Presentations were made by epidemiologist Dr. Paul Edwards.


Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.

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