Memorial to be held for AIDS carriers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Anti-AIDS campaigners in 29 cities in
\nIndonesia's 18 provinces will hold a candlelight memorial for
\npeople with AIDS or HIV on May 19.<\/p>\n
The same event will also be held in 300 cities in 50 other
\ncountries as a memorial for the millions of people who have died
\nof the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Human
\nImmunodeficiency Virus, and for those who are still alive.<\/p>\n
The annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and
\nMobilization was first started in 1984, as a way to increase
\npublic awareness of the disease, but Indonesia has only decided
\nto join in this year.<\/p>\n
\"It's about time Indonesia joined the drive. Raising public
\nawareness of the disease is not an easy undertaking,\" said
\nNafsiah Mboi, a legislator and AIDS activist, during a press
\nbriefing here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The national total now stands at 390 people with HIV or AIDS:
\n95 with AIDS (59 of whom have died), and 295 who are HIV-
\npositive. Jakarta still tops the list with 137 HIV and AIDS
\ncarriers, Irian Jaya is second with 102, Bali and East Java each
\nhave 33 and Riau has 29.<\/p>\n
The theme for the international memorial is \"AIDS
\nDiscrimination is a Global Endemic\", whereas the local theme is
\n\"Together to Build Hope.\"<\/p>\n
An organizer of the event, Baby Jim Aditya, said the issue of
\ndiscrimination against people with AIDS may not be topical yet.<\/p>\n
\"We chose a different theme, one which is more relevant here,
\nbecause we associate 'candles' with 'hope' for people with AIDS,\"
\nBaby told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, more than 1,000 people are expected to attend the
\nfree event at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center. Jakarta's
\nGovernor Surjadi Soedirdja is scheduled to open it at 6.30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, assistant to Coordinating
\nMinister for People's Welfare's Suyono Yahya and a number of
\npublic figures will also attend the commemoration.<\/p>\n
The participants will light candles, pray for people with HIV
\nand AIDS and then sing Lilin-lilin Kecil (Little Candles), a
\nfamous song written by James F. Sundah.<\/p>\n
A number of other activities to increase awareness of AIDS are
\nalso planned, including poetry reading, art performances, and
\npainting and photographic exhibitions. Books and souvenirs will
\nalso be sold to the public.(31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/memorial-to-be-held-for-aids-carriers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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