Hundreds of children and some adults have benefited from an event that was aimed at educating people on HIV and Aids.

It was hosted by the Litshani Vhana-Vha-De Foundation at Muledane Block J in Thohoyandou on International Aids Day (1 December). The purpose of the event was to raise awareness, educate the community about HIV and Aids and to educate people on how to live with patients who have the disease.

“People who are living with HIV and Aids need to be loved and shown total support,” said the managing director of the Litshani Vhana-Vha-De Foundation, Ms Bridgette Mamugubudi. “With this event, we also aimed to raise health awareness by creating public visibility, celebrating and building confidence in ourselves.”

She emphasised that the community must stick together and find all positive means to prevent the spread of HIV and Aids. “No action is too small, no contribution is wasted,” she said. “We must protect ourselves and those who are nearest to us. We must protect the vulnerable, we must combat the stigma and create an environment in which all can feel safe and comfortable to undergo HIV testing and be treated. The end of HIV as a public health threat is in sight.”

There was also a Spelling Bee competition, where five children from the project’s after-school day care competed in the final stage. A Grade 12 pupil, Luvhengo Matoro, won the event and the prize of a night’s accommodation at the Khoroni Hotel.