KUCHING: A group of young people decided to step out and speak out to the Kuching public about HIV/AIDS on National Asian and Pacific Islander (API) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day today.
Leading this move to address a deadly yet rarely-spoken issue is photographer Kennedy Anthony, also known as Kenzo Schancos, who served at organising chairman of HIV Kuching Awareness Day (#HIVKchAwarenessDay).
“In Sarawak, 15 per cent of men and women are HIV positive. This is because they do not know how to protect themselves from it,” Kenzo told reporters after the launch at Plaza Merdeka yesterday afternoon.
#HIVKchAwarenessDay aims to create awareness in every level of society to arm people with knowledge on prevention.
Kenzo said they wanted to dispel myths, misconceptions, and HIV/AIDS-related discrimination.
The campaign also aims to help young people understand the dangers of HIV/AIDS, and change the passive culture among youths by educating them to be more socially aware of their environment.
The event supported by OurYouth.my was launched by Datuk Patrick Liew.
The venue was sponsored by Plaza Merdeka. There was a blood donation drive organised in collaboration with Timberland Medical Centre.
Photography service was provided by Kenzo Schancos Photography while the video sponsored by Taktik Kotor.
Keringkam Jingga sponsored the make-up for the entire show.
Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS) is involved in the event.
Donations were collected from the sales of t-shirts.
Kenzo said he hoped to make this an annual event.