Addis Abeba — Right To Play (RTP), an athlete driven international humanitarian NGO said it is working to address the specific problems of stigma and discrimination against People living with HIV/AIDS in different schools here.

RTP-Ethiopia is working on promoting, understanding and awareness on HIV/AIDS in different schools of the country using sport and play that can help children easily to recognize the current overall information of HIV/AIDS as well as develop self-esteem, build confidence, learn tolerance, and give them hope for a better future, Melaku Tekola, National Training Officer of RTP said at an event organized in connection with the World AIDS day celebration under the theme of "Universal Access and Human Right" at Belay Zeleke Primary School on Wednesday.

It is known that World AIDS day was globally celebrated on December 1st this year, RTP-Ethiopia in collaboration with Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE), Belay Zeleke and Shimelis Habtie Schools had organized an international event on December 2, 2009 at Belay Zeleke School and December 4, 2009 at Shimelis Habtie School.

"The event is organized to serve as a podium to mobilize communities to give care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS," Melaku added.

According to the officer, the event would also provide opportunities for learning and experience sharing through participation of games and question and answers which were aimed at building knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Live Safe, Play Safe, Right To Play's program resource was role modeled in the event to show the link between education on HIV/AIDS and Sport.

Different activities aimed at creating awareness and understandings HIV/AIDS have been performed by children themselves and organizers. Partner organization FGAE also provided Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services to event attendants and the community.

Among specific messages of the day was: care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS; VCT or better informed living; break the stigma on people living with HIV/AIDS; community involvement for fostering change in the community; RTP's program resource for teaching children and youth on HIV/AIDS prevention and Education and sport as a tool towards teaching life skills and build Positive attitude towards Persons living with HIV/AIDS were among others.

More than 2000 children and youth from Belay Zeleke and Shimelis Habtie School, parents, guardians, community representatives attended the event.

RTP has projects in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.