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ON Sunday Aids Candlelight Memorial Services will be held in more than 3000 communities in 85 countries making it the largest grassroots Aids event ever.
The annual event, co-ordinated worldwide by the Global Health Council, commemorates the lives lost to Aids, demonstrates support for people living with HIV/Aids, and mobilises community-based responses to HIV/Aids.
The local service takes place on Sunday at 16:00 in the Noorder Paarl Dutch Reformed Church (Toringkerk) and is organised by die local Aids Action Committee.
Rev Christo Greyling will be the guest speaker. The theme this year is "Turning Remembrance into Action". Amongst the guests of honour will be Minister Marius Fransman and Drakenstein Mayor Herman Bailey.
According to Rev Stephen Snyman, co-ordinator of the local Aids Action Committee, the International Aids Candlelight Memorial Service is "an opportunity for each of us in Paarl/Drakenstein Municipal Area, to dedicate ourselves for the first time or once again to fight against Aids.
"We will join together in our commitment to continue our fight against Aids until the pandemic is over for all people everywhere".
Around the world, local co-ordinating organisations such as community-based Aids organisations, religious groups or coalitions of people living with HIV/Aids, have already begun planning candlelight events in their areas.
They vary from the lighting of candles and oil lamps in over 200 rural villages in southeast India to candlelit processions in Latin America to interfaith memorial services held in towns all over the US.
For more information contact Jolanda Lerm (863-3072) or Rev Snyman (862-2747). |