Sunday School advocacy draws focus on AIDS Orphans

GANGTOK, 06 May: An Essay and Painting Competition was organized today at the Gangtok Evangelical Presbyterian Church to mark the World AIDS Orphans Day. Although the Day falls on 07 May, the event at EPC here was timed for today as an advocacy effort among Sunday School children, teenagers, and youth about the issues and suffering of those orphan children who are living with HIV & AIDS.
The First Evangelical Presbyterian Church Association of India [FECAI] and Christian AIDS/HIV National Alliance [CANA] in co-partnership with Gangtok-based NGO, Concerned for Complete life [CARE] organized the competition.
World AIDS Orphans Day is a grassroots campaign to draw attention to and advocate on behalf of the over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS. Today, a diverse coalition of organizations, government officials and everyday citizens is urging the G8 and donor governments to ensure that 10% of all HIV and AIDS funding supports the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.
A press release informs that the program was based on the theme "My response to AIDS Orphans" which was participated by different churches of Gangtok namely Gangtok EPCS Church, Tadong EPCS Church, Penlong EPCS Church, Church of God, Sichey, Baptist Church, Dev. Area and Hebron Church, Syari.
The Essay and Painting competition was held in three age categories: 12 yrs and under, 13yrs to 18 yrs and 19yrs to 24yrs. The 1st Prize in all the three categories is Rs 5000, 2nd Prize in all the three categories is Rs 2500 and the 3rd Prize in all the three categories is Rs 1000. One consolation prize in all the categories is Rs 500.
The program was facilitated Dr. Songmit Lepcha from Govt. Hospital as a resource person who shared information about HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans, the release mentions. She also stressed on the importance and our important part of responding to them with different means.