Lights for Rights commemorating World AIDS day by Youth Advocacy Group - VETRIKOOTAM
This year World AIDS day themed “Lights for Rights”, was commemorated by Vetri Kootam (young children –advocacy group) with the support of Buds of Christ. It was organised in three villages and was unique as it was a partnership programme between the vetri kootam and community children in commemorating this day.
In a village near Velakoundanpatti, the village community center (Anganwadi) was used to
conduct the World AIDS day on 8th December 2010 .The group enacted a small skit depicting, how a youngster can be easily influenced by peers and become vulnerable to HIV. The play also depicted the need to have the right information and being safe. Following the street-play, one representative organised a quiz competition and there was an awesome response.
In Tiruchengode Rural area, the Vetrikootam members organised an event commemorating the World AIDS day on 11th December 2010 in taking a pledge that awareness will be created widely and also ensure new youngsters are not infected. This was done by lighting lamps around the red-ribbon made of Rangoli, following that debate on the risk and vulnerabilities among boys and girls were discussed and then quiz in understanding the level of awareness.
In Tiruchengode, Television show popularly named Deal-ah/No Deal-ah type quiz competition on HIV and AIDS was organised on 12th December 2010 where questions will be asked to the individual and scores are marked accordingly. There was a good participation and here the youngsters arranged the community ground that facilitated a wider coverage.
This year, based on the theme light for Rights, The young children advocacy group (Vetrikootam) created a sense of responsibility among themselves and the community children on the right to information that every young child should have in protecting themselves and others from HIV and AIDS. At the same time, they also stressed the right of children and youth living with and affected by HIV to live a life of respect and dignity.