US Embassy plows $$ into fight against Aids locally

Over the last two weeks, US Ambassador Beatrice W Welters has presented more than US$25,000 in grants to several organisations which aim to increase awareness on and stem the spread of HIV/Aids. PEPFAR (The US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) grants of US$2,355 were given to the Esimaje Foundation, US$5,000 to the Tobago chapter of Soroptimists International, and US$8,000 to Arts Insight. The US Embassy also gave a US$10,000 grant to the Caribbean HIV and Aids Alliance. The Esimaje foundation is initiating a project, Living with and Relating to Persons Living with HIV and Aids. It plans to host a series of workshops and seminars for individuals and their partners who have to cope with the virus. Arts Insight’s project Through Art There is Realisation will include a number of painting and sculpting workshops held at community centres for infected youths 15-30 and their families and friends. The workshops will be facilitated by prominent artists and trained counselors. The Caribbean HIV and Aids Alliance’s project, HAPPI, is aimed at increasing awareness of the dangers of risky behaviour among inmates as well as a peer support group for HIV-positive prisoners. The PEPFAR initiative is the US government’s leading initiative to help those suffering from HIV and Aids around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally.