Seychelles joins world in observing Aids candlelight memorial |21 May 2018

Seychelles yesterday joined the world in commemorating the International Aids Candlelight Memorial, an occasion to stand in solidarity with victims of HIV/Aids.

To mark the occasion locally, a march took place in the Anse Boileau district yesterday morning.

The event under the theme ‘Reflecting on our Past Preparing for our Future’ was organised by the civil society Haso (HIV/Aids Support Organisation), in collaboration with the Anse Boileau parish of ‘Lady of Seven Sorrows’.

The march, which kicked off at 9am by the cross and ended at the church, was followed by the usual Sunday mass.

The chairman of Haso, Justin Freminot, stated that the candlelight memorial is to keep alive the memories of those who have died as a result of this disease.

“Such memorial march is to honour, support, and advocate for those who have been affected by the global HIV epidemic through mobilising the community for a world where people do not die of Aids and people living with HIV can live in health and with dignity. The event is organised in 115 countries, and such event will allow each individual affecting by the disease to keep on fighting,” he said.

The International Aids Candlelight Memorial, coordinated by the Global Network of People living with HIV, is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilisation campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. Started in 1983, the International Aids Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organisations in 115 countries.

A faithful Christian, Gilbert Mémée, said that taking part in the memorial march will bring support and motivate everyone to fight the disease.

“I came to support the people living with HIV; anyone can be affected by such disease. We need to give them all the support they need,” he said.

The International Aids Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. It serves as a community mobilisation campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and Aids. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the event serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.