Commonwealth News and Information Service (London)
2 December 2008
A synergy of youth exuberance, culture, artistic expression and high impact youth HIV/AIDS messages, was achieved by CYPRCA to kick-start activities marking this year's World AIDS Day celebrations.
Dance4Life is an exciting global initiative, implemented through Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) - a youth-led development agency which has a partnership with Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). As the climax of a year-long Schools4Life HIV/AIDS education programme, dance4life event seeks to engage, inspire and motivate young people to actively participate in the fight against HIV and AIDS, both in Zambia and across the world.
This exciting event took place on Saturday, 29th November 2008, at Lusaka's National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC).
The sports hall was filled by over 700 participants, many of whom traveled to Lusaka from all the districts of Zambia's central province. They were joined by pupils from a number of Lusaka schools in the celebration of life. The pupils were welcomed with immaculate white dance4life t-shirts signifying purity and promoting abstinence.
Over 300,000 youth around the world participated in various country dance4Life events in 21countries to launch this year's World AIDS Day celebrations. All country events were linked via satellite to achieve global unity in efforts by young people to combat HIV/AIDS.
Dance4life ambassadors of change, Michael Zulu, Sister D and lily T, all national po artists, graced the event with electrifying performances. The pupils cheered loudly while these dance4life ambassadors of change sang their songs with a message to push back HIV/AIDS. The atmosphere was thus charged with the hearts of many youths readied to receive the HIV/AIDS messages for the day.
SPW country director, John Kalaghe, gave a speech to welcome everyone as did other local and political dignitaries.
The pupils were privileged to hear a testimony by Shalom, a 14 year old agent of change. This was very moving as Shalom had lost his mother and sister to AIDS and he also tested positive. He has been living with the HIV virus since the time he was born. His message for the young ones was that of abstinence from sex. As shalom delivered his testimony, a long, sombre period of silence hit the hall. All the pupils and invited guests were touched by his testimony.
Speaking at the same event, James Odit, Regional Director, Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa (CYPRCA) said "although people from all walks of life are affected, AIDS is hitting hard at the most vulnerable sections of our society. It is striking at the heart of the most productive members of society - the youth." He stated that CYP is fully committed to promoting youth development. "Through our programmes we put in a lot emphasis on combating HIV/AIDS and ensuring healthy lifestyles among young people." He said.
Mr. Odit called on all government ministries and departments of youth and stakeholders in youth development and young people to support programmes aiming at youth development. "Together, let us ensure that HIV rates are reduced and youth have access to information, education and services necessary to develop life skills for reducing vulnerability to HIV." He said.
The event was very exciting and educative. CYPRCA looks forward to starting the preparations for the 2009/2010 Schools4Life programme climaxing on
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