‘Walk for life’ campaign starts in earnest |25 November 2014

Just over a month after its official launch, the ‘Walk for life’ campaign initiated by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church took off in earnest on Sunday.

‘Walk for life’ is the SDA’s own campaign to combat the Aids epidemic in support of the Ministry of Health’s goal of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids related deaths in the Seychelles.

The campaign, which will run until November 30, is a non-stop one-week walk around Mahé to increase the Seychellois nation’s awareness of HIV/Aids and its associated diseases.

Present at the SDA church’s St Louis premises on Sunday to kick-start the campaign in earnest was the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, the deputy chief executive of the Seychelles Health Care Agency Danny Louange, the chief executive of the HIV/Aids division of the Ministry of Health Anne Gabriel and other believers from the SDA.

Minister Meriton expressed his appreciation to the organisers for the march and for showing interest in the health of the people.
He wished that more people show such interest and help spread this awareness.

Mr Louange also had words of appreciation for the event organised by the SDA as it is helping the Ministry of Health spread the message of ‘Our Health, Our Responsibility’.

He also reminded all gathered of his ministry’s goal of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids related deaths in the Seychelles.

It has now been many years since the SDA church in Seychelles has been spearheading several campaigns and activities with a focus on health and its reforms.
 
This year’s ‘Walk for life’ campaign is therefore no exception. However in order to engage and include as many players and stakeholders for the desired impact within the community, other non-governmental organisations and bodies are also taking part in this event. These include Care (Committee for Awareness, Resilience and Education against substance abuse), HASO (HIV/Aids Support Organisation), Waso (Women in Action and Solidarity Organisation), the Red Cross, Senpa (Small Enterprise Promotion Agency), among others.
The calendar of activities is published in the accompanying table and any member of the public is invited to join the walk.


Day 1 (Sunday November 23)      Walk starts at SDA church at St Louis, passing through Sans Soucis to Port Glaud /Port Launay. Sleepover at Port Glaud community centre.   
Day 2 (Monday November 24)    Walk starts at Port Glaud community centre to Baie Lazare for sleepover. Expo at Anse Boileau
Day 3 (Tuesday November 25)    Walk starts at Baie Lazare to Anse Royale for sleepover. Health expo.
Day 4 (Wednesday November 26)    Walk starts at Anse Royale  to Cascade  community centre for sleepover. Health expo at Cascade.
Day 5 (Thursday November 27)    Walk starts at Cascade to Roche Caiman community centre for sleepover. Health expo at Les Mamelles.
Day 6 (Friday November 28)    Walk starts at Roche Caiman via Victoria to Bel Ombre community centre for rest.
Day 8 (Sunday November 30)    Bel Ombre to St Louis SDA Church /community centre  for fun day and health expo.