Sunday School Kids Raise AIDS Awareness

Sunday School children of Believers Church Sikkim raised awareness on World AIDS Day through a rally in their community. The afternoon of 1st December 2012, 30 children and youth silently carried placards through the town. They displayed slogans such as “Good Bye AIDS”.

After the rally, the children gathered to hear Pastor Gangaram teach about HIV/AIDS. He explained the disease and how it is spread. “HIV infection isn’t like a cold or the flu,” Pastor Gangaram told the children. “A kid cannot get HIV by riding a school bus or visiting the home of someone who has HIV, or by holding that person’s hand. HIV is passed only through direct contact with another person’s body fluids, such as blood. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted by sexual contact or sharing needles or syringes with another person.”

The pastor gave two challenges to the kids. First, “If you know someone who is HIV positive, treat him or her just like any other friend.” Second, “Know the facts and avoid putting yourself at risk.”

These children are gaining valuable knowledge that can protect them for the rest of their lives. Believers Church works to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about AIDS. Each year, thousands of people learn about the disease through rallies like this one.