Cambodia: Young people animate WAD 2004: “Have you heard me today?”

PHNOM PENH: 5 November 2004 -- This year’s World Aids Day (WAD) week campaign with the slogan “Have you heard me today?” brought together 850 orphaned children, youth, adults and carers to celebrate the 4th "Funday" at the Don Bosco Children Fund Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday, 5th of December .

    “Funday” has been a yearly event since year 2000, organized by the Salesian Foundation of Cambodia seeking to raise awareness about and to help address the many issues associated with AIDS and HIV among normally healthy people and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) patients.

    “Funday is a celebration to proclaim that life is valuable and meaningful…that life is full of hope today and always… hope in the belief that there is goodness in every human life… the reason we are here is to love, respect and support one another, to understand and be a strength to one another even in the fatal face of HIV and AIDS… ” said Fr. Leo Ochoa, project director of “Project AIDS Orphans and AIDS Affected Childrem in Phnom Penh” at the opening of the celebration. 

    While vulnerability is primarily due to inadequate knowledge about AIDS and insufficient access to HIV prevention, togetherness is a source of great strength in the sad reality of HIV and AIDS. WAD 2004 Funday is, therefore, characterized by friendly togetherness and cheerful atmosphere of songs, dances, games and picnics.    

    Ms. Leang Meng Ho, Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia with her 50 girl scouts joined the celebration.  Cambodian TV Channel 3 took note of the event.

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