Sports, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister Angela Cifire says government shall support initiatives that supplement its efforts in halting the spread of HIV /AIDS through positive behavioral change.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of Music Artistes who were trained as HIV/AIDS peer educators and ambassadors in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Cifire said music should be used as a communication tool for transmitting important messages on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support and other HIV related issues.
Ms Cifire commended the graduating advocates and ambassadors for using their talents to champion the fight against HIV/AIDS. She observed that although some musicians are young, they have huge influence in the society.
Ms. Cifire urged the graduates to be role models and save the lives of many young Zambians through music and art. She commended the United States government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for continued support to the Zambian government particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
And the musicians commended SHARe and other stakeholders for giving them an opportunity to use their talent to champion the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Speaking on behalf of other musicians Towela Nyirongo said creating programs that will give artist a platform to educate the masses on the danger of the HIV/AIDS pandemic will not only help to strengthen the fight but also equip and change many people that government, SHARe, and other organizations can not reach.
The artistes underwent an HIV/AIDS training course and graduated as Advocates and Ambassadors to champion the fight against HIV/AIDS.
ZANIS
Train and sensitise everyone and not musicians alone… HIV/AIDS is a serious and sad disease.
We are all advocates and ambassadors for this cause – with or without training credentials.
HIV is a nasty disease. Once you get it, there is no cure for it. Safe sex and abstinence is the only way to avoid getting it.
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