Freetown — Speaking in the Benjuma community before a number of community people, the chairperson of the Matei multipurpose co-operative society (MATCOPS), Mamusu Kamara, said we must be active in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Waterloo and environs.

Mrs. Kamara said the sensitization process at Tombo community and Waterloo encourages people to get tested for HIV and to learn how to avoid getting the disease. The event was organised by MATCOPS and the Voices of Women Working with HIV.

She added that people need to go for a test so they can know their status. People should not be afraid to learn that they need medication as there is free treatment available to them. Anti-Retroviral drugs are readily available at government hospitals. Knowing your status will help to prevent this pandemic from getting worse. "We must encourage any one with this sickness, as this can help us drive out stigmatization and make them comfortable, within our respective communities." Project coordinator for MATCOPS Peter Abdul Koroma said "we are hitting the streets between Waterloo and Tombo so that our people can know how to prevent the spread of HIV and to encourage them to get tested." Not reusing sharps and the use of male and female condoms would help prevent HIV, pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections.

Erita Tailor, 23, said her participation in the program would help her friends feel comfortable to take their test, to be faithful to a single partner, to learn the proper way to use a condom and to say no to unprotected sex.