The Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN), formed seven years ago to assist HIV/AIDS infected and affected persons around them has reached out to four churches across Anguilla in an effort to take the fight against HIV/AIDS to the churches in Anguilla.
According to reports, The Choir Fest and Thanksgiving Service was part of a number of ongoing events with a view to bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS to the church communities last month.
“The message of the church ought to be one of hope. Christ gives hope and we will do everything within our power to make sure that that message is conveyed to the people of Anguilla. I am the Chaplin of ACAN and, as such, I have already told Mr.John Lake [the President] that our pulpit and doors are open; that whenever he wants to share something, or whatever message he wants to convey, this church is open to that,” said the Church pastors.
Meanwhile, Mrs. MaezaDemis-Adams, Director of the National Aids Programme, quoted the Secretary General of the United Nations as saying in his 2013 World Aids Day message: “I am more optimistic than ever. Much of the world is accelerating progress in responding to HIV. There are significant decreases in new infections and deaths, and we are making good progress in realising our target of ensuring 15 million people have access to antiretroviral treatment by 2015.”
The event was hosted by the Kingdom Citizens’ Church in The Valley along with the Dominion Faith Centre, the New Testament Church and Word of Life Ministry.
“Our message is to promote an awareness that persons living with HIV/AIDS ought not to be stigmatised,” the Pastors said, “They are not different from anyone else and, as such, we should do everything within our power to make sure that they are made to feel comfortable in society and live a long and fruitful life”.
“This service is preparing the churches of Anguilla to stand up and fight against stigma and discrimination with respect to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. In January, Pastor Dexter Welcomeof the Dominion Faith Centre will be the facilitator in bringing pastors together to proclaim that HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but you can live a long, productive and healthy life,” Mr. Lake concluded.
