Streetkids

Every year on the third Sunday of May the entire world reveres the memory of people who died of AIDS. The action “It is not enough to know, try to understand” was held on Sunday, May 16 in the Greek square of Odessa.

Natalia Kitsenko, the director of HIV prevention department at OCF “The Way Home” noted: “Today Ukraine is included into the number of countries which are involved into the HIV epidemics. Only those who in someway contribute to the counteraction to the epidemic know how disturbing this fact is. International agreements on participation  in struggle with AIDS which were signed a few years ago oblige not only governmental but also civil structures to get involved into this struggle. Per se, this is one of those few problems, which should evoke unanimity of the society and government”. On April 1, 2010 the number of HIV-positive people in Odessa was more than 21 thousand, 11417 of them have confirmed their status.
Organizers of the action think that “each citizen can and should contribute into the struggle with the epidemics. For example, there is no obstacle for us to be tolerant to those who live with HIV”. In the meanwhile, youth tolerance to the HIV-positive people in Ukraine equals zero and amidst the more mature population it doesn’t exceed 2%. Such discriminating position of citizens harms the society in general, since it provokes to HIV-infection spread. Inmates of OCF “The Way Home” participated in the International AIDS Memorial Day action as well as adults. Almost all children who are right now being rehabilitated at “The Way Home” participated in the rally and mourning procession carrying canvas on which portrays of people that died of HIV/AIDS were represented. OF “Faith. Hope. Love” and OCF “The Way Home” mobile outpatient clinics also participated in the action, where all willing people could go through the free and anonymous HIV, hepatitis, syphilis and STD tests. Besides, mobile photofluorography unit was also there, in which free anonymous tuberculosis diagnostics for Odessa citizens was carried out. The organizers of the action: Odessa City council youth and family policy department; Global Ukrainian Network of People living with HIV, Odessa Citizens’ Support  Foundation, established by Eduard Gurvits in 1999, Charity Organization “Union of Non-Governmental Organizations of Odessa region “Together for Life”, which consists of the following organizations: “Faith. Hope. Love”, “Development center for youth”, “The Way Home”, “Partner”, “Rehabilitation Center “Steps”, “Era of Mercy” “Rainbow”, “South Ukrainian Center “Health. Woman. Longevity”, “Sunny circle”, “Caritas.Odessa.”, “Life +”.