World AIDS Day

AIDS, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a chronic and life-threatening disease, caused by the HIV virus. It can damage the immune system, and thereby, interfere with the ability of the body to fight infection and diseases. In India, over 1 million are diagnosed with AIDS every year. Globally, 38 million people are currently living with HIV or AIDS. This disease cannot be cured and requires lifetime medication. Every year, World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme. This year, the theme was “Equalize.” It is a call to action to end all forms of bias faced by patients of AIDS. On this day, we all must be motivated to address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS. The significance of this day is to make the people who are affected feel included. World AIDS Day is also to create awareness among people to have their health checked up and prevent HIV.

As all the children in Snehagram are infected with HIV, this day plays a very important role in their lives. We spent time learning more deeply about the disease and improving our understanding. It was a time to motivate the children that HIV can’t hold onto their dreams and even with it we can still be successful.