The Rwanda Village Concept Project organizes annually the Candlelight Memorial, the candlelight memorial is an internationally commemorated day to honor those who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic and to raise awareness among youth on HIV/AIDS with a theme “SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS“. This year it was commemorated on the 5th July 2015. It is annually celebrated on the third Sunday of May, but due to a very tight school schedule, it was postponed to July. It has been initiated since 1983 by the coalition of community non-governmental organizations globally coordinated by Global Network of people living with HIV (PLWHIV). And RVCP is commemorating it from 2005.The purpose of the day is trying to address the ignorance of candle light memorial day in our community. Whereby diverse group of community leaders including community health workers, researchers, business people, faith and organization leaders and concerned individuals to take part in HIV awareness and stigma eradication in HIV victims according to the annual theme.
Objectives and results of the event
- About 100 youth participants were educated about HIV/AIDS.
- We had the memorial march for 1 hour along Huye town with banners marked with messages relevant to the annual theme.
- The candles have been lit and raised in the sky for remembrance.
- We took one minute of silence for remembrance.
- Presentations through songs,sketches and poems from the Anti AIDS youth clubs we work with were all focusing on supporting the future of people living with HIV.
- Mrs Seraphine, the coordinator of People living with HIV association in southern province , has been living with HIV for 25 years. during her personal testimony she explained how living with HIV is quiet different from living hopelessly. she highlighted some methods that lead to her better future when living with HIV like abstinence post exposure, complete diet, avoidance of stress and more usefully income generating associations.
- Mrs Domina, in charge of Youth and education in Ngoma sector emphasized on how the bright future of the PLWHIV must be sustained through education and empowering projects.
- We created community dialogue and influenced local and different policy-makers about prevention care and treatment of HIV.
- Coordinators have improved community mobilization skills, partner with like-minded groups and professionals and therefore found unity within a global coalition of AIDS activitists.
- We brought together community leaders and members who talked face to face about HIV/AIDS and how community can come together to address the disease and fight stigma therefore support the future of the PLWHIV.
Partners and all stakeholders
BVDA
Students from Thomas Jefferson University
Huye youth friendly center former DUSHISHOZE center
Society for family health Rwanda (SFH)
Huye district through Ngoma sector
National Police Ngoma station
MEDIA(RC huye, Salus Radio,Igihe.com)
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.
This event has been prepared by Hategekimana Florentine/HIV prevention program in touch with Karara Jackson /the vice director of the program.