ADEZE OJUKWU

New Jersey, USA

adezeo@yahoo.com

Monday, April 19, 2004

The fear of stigma suppresses public discussion and deters people from wanting to find out whether they are infected, thereby causing them to risk transmitting the virus rather than attract suspicion, Mr. Annan had stressed at the time.

"Some people with AIDS are denied basic rights such as food or shelter and dismissed from jobs they are fit to perform. The fear of stigma leads to silence and when it comes to fighting AIDS, silence is death," he said.

The most powerful weapons against the burden of HIV-related stigma are the voices of the world's people speaking out freely about AIDS, Annan urging all to replace such shame with support, "fear with hope, silence with solidarity."

For many, this is a difficult pill to swallow. Others however are responding positively to the clarion call to end the social exclusion of people living with HIV. Mr. Raphael Oko, Country Coordinator, Teachers Without Borders- Nigeria, is one of such people. His views on this issue, which were expressed in a public appeal are soul-stirring. Here are excerpts:

Dear All,

There is no doubt, we are living in the age of HIV/AIDS and in the world so affected by HIV/AIDS. The great challenge facing all of us now is how to reduce and eventually terminate HIV/AIDS from the world. Many suggestions have been offered, including education, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as well as treatment of already infected persons.

In all, a meaningful result may not be reached without the establishment of a partnership between people currently living with HIV/AIDS and those not yet infected. Unfortunately everybody seems to be at risk of HIV infection. In the main, the proposed partnership requires a common denominator among all stakeholders, both those already infected and those yet to be infected.

Now, everyone without exception is seeking for love, to love and to be loved and some have argued that the desire for love has been responsible for the sexual transmission of HIV all over the world. This is most common in areas where love is synonymous with sex.

Now, it has become necessary to utilize love to address the spread of HIV/AIDS in our nation and all over the world.

It is within the realm of love that stigma and discrimination can be eliminated without problems. It is within the realm of love that care and support for PLWHA can be made real. It is love that can heal the pains of derogatory remarks about PLWHA by those who know very little about HIV/AIDS. It is with the heart of love that those already living with HIV/AIDS will not launch an all night war against those yet uninfected.

Love is therefore a cure of the so many ills associated with HIV/AIDS spread, and there is the need to promote unconditional love, "love without borders" to all people.

The Love Foundation has set May 1, 2004, as the Global Love Day and is calling on all people to join the effort to observe this day as the day of love.

Teachers without Borders- Nigeria has endorsed this effort by the Love Foundation, and is hereby using this unique opportunity to call on all stakeholders in the field of HIV/AIDS to join in observing this day. For us, this is an opportunity to show love to all people without considering their HIV status. This is a time that we can use to express our unconditional love for PLWHA, and a moment that PLWHA can use to show their love for those not infected by HIV/AIDS.

Whether you are living with HIV/AIDS now or not, here is a unique opportunity to show love to PLWHA, children orphaned by AIDS, as well as communities threatened by HIV/AIDS. Is there any idea, you will like to share on the Global Love Day, please feel free to let us know. Already, The Love Foundation has lined up some activities for the day and before the day of love.

"Join people around the world in celebrating and expanding Love. On the Global Love Day, May 1, 2004 with the theme "Love Begins with Me." We are one humanity on this planet. All life is interconnected and interdependent. All share in the universal bond of love. Love begins with self acceptance and forgiveness. With tolerance and compassion we embrace diversity. Together we make a difference through love. Be a part of it. Spread the word."