Various stakeholders within Honiara are preparing for the World AIDS Day to be celebrated on the 1st of December.
The 2008 theme is 'Leadership, Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise' and stakeholders hope the theme itself would speak volumes during their campaign on the disease.As it nears the date, stakeholders yesterday had a training at the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association particularly aimed at preparing stakeholders for the day.
According to the Assistant Community Health Education Officer, Mr. Oscar Watesao, 68 participants from the Ministry of Health, SIPPA, ADRA, Oxfam, Save the Children, Church of Melanesia and the Universal Federation for Peace attended the training.
He stated that these participants will be providing HIV and AIDS awareness in offices, factories and other work places within the city.
"We believe that the theme will make itself clear to people. We want people to think positive about the campaign slogan: 'Keeping the Promise' to protect themselves and not to spread the virus," added Mr. Watesao.
Mr. Watesao also revealed that on the 30th of November, the Ministry of Health together with the Church of Melanesia and key stakeholders will organize a Candle Night at the St. Barnabas Cathedral to remember those living with the virus in the Solomon Islands and around the World.