TCE Gondola celebrates the 1st of December – International AIDS Day

The TCE program in Gondola celebrated the December 1st – International AIDS Day with different activities carried out by TCE field Officers which included community actions and education campaigns about HIV/AIDS.

The activities started on November 5^th with education campaigns and lectures about HIV/AIDS in Gondola town and its Administrative Posts. The activities included sanitation and environmental actions, painting of trees with lime, drawing of AIDS ribbons and training of 150 Passionates on the basic facts of HIV/AIDS in two Administrative Posts - Amatongas and Inchope.

On November 23rd, AIDS day was launched by the NGOs and Associations which network with the Health institutions in fight against HIV/AIDS.

On November 30th, at 6:30 pm, a night parade with candles called "Night Watch for Reflection" was held. During the night, a film was also screened about community testing and volunteers explained the significance of the march with candles and the need for everyone to play a role in countering the epidemic.  About 200 people participated in this ceremony including the 1^st Secretary of the town of Gondola, the Representative of DDEJT (District Directorate for Education, Youth and Technology) of Gondola and other individuals and members of the community.

On December 1st, about 1500 participants marched in a parade from the town’s market to the Heroes’ square. The parade focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and had representatives from local associations, NGOs, the District Government and community networks. During the ceremony speeches and testimonials were presented and an exhibition of various AIDS interventions was held. TCE made presentations about medicinal plants, Income Generation Activities, mosquito nets and CERTEZA’s water purifier – all promoting positive living activities.

As part of the celebrations, a competition with attractive prizes was held in order to encourage people to test. 30 people tested during the festivities which was a great triumph of public commitment to AIDS prevention. A graduation ceremony was held for 150 Passionates who received their certificates of involvement in the program.