WORLD AIDS DAY THEMED, ‘HEALTHY MIND IS A HEALTHY BODY’ TARGETS THE OUTSKIRTS OF GEORGE

The George Municipality hosted two World Aids Day celebrations events one was held on 01 December 2022 at the Touwsranten Community Hall and another on 02 December 2022 at Haarlem Community Hall. This year’s World Aids Day was themed, “A Healthy Mind is a Healthy Body”.

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year around the world to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Approximately 200 citizens attend the Touwsranten World Aids Day celebrations

According to Sophia Fanelo, Manager for Community Development in the George Municipality, the event was attended by approximately 200 citizens. She says, as part of the celebrations, various organizations were allowed to present their services to the community. This was coupled with educational games by the community members, while the youth spread the HIV motivational messages. Five (5) Community members received food parcels and a gift each with a certificate of excellence for the commitment they have shown in taking their treatment.

The keynote speech was done by the Executive Deputy Mayor of George, Councillor Raybin Figland. In his address, Cllr. Figland implored the community to be responsible for their own health and to be safe over the festive season. Cllr. Figland was preceded by the Portfolio Councillor for George Municipality’s Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport, Brendon Adams who gave the background of HIV&AIDS.

World Aids Day commemorated in Haarlem

The second event was in Haarlem, and we also reached 200 community members.  Ward 24 Councillor Justin Fry welcomed the attendees and gave a background on the HIV&AIDS. Hanilie Meiring from Women Against Drugs Motivated the community and shared a success story of Seven (7) young men from Uniondale and Haarlem that went to rehab and have fully recovered from the abuse of drugs.

Ends.

CAPTION:

Photo 1: Back row, from left: Willbedine Jordaan (Acting HIV&AIDS Coordinator), Sr Annete Glad (Touwsranten Clinic), Sr Patience Shipalane , Executive Deputy Mayor of George Rayben Figland,  Sr Katrina Elbrecht Councillor Brendon Adams (Portfolio Councillor for Community Services, Social Development, Libraries and Sport), Councillor Charlotte Clarke(Portfolio Councillor for Community Safety), Councillor Enrico Figland and Jonathan Fortuin (Project Co-Ordinator, Special Programmes & Community Development).

Front row, from left: Sr Gloria Windvogel and Sr Paulina Ewerts.