The community of Seroalo in Thaba Nchu, in conjunction with Tswellopele Branding Enterprise, commemorated the millions of lives lost due to HIV/AIDS infection or related diseases that have left many children without their biological parents. The commemoration took place at Mokae Primary School. Residents were educated on blood pressure and sugar diabetes and encouraged to stand together in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) in the province.
One of the organisers, Ntswaki Tsatsinyaneng, told Voice that the event was very successful. “We would like to thank the community for their support, as well as our sponsors. Thank you to FNB Thaba Nchu branch and the Department of Health. They brought along a mobile clinic offering screening and tests for kids and community members,” she said.
She added that many young girls between the ages of 15 and 25 years get infected daily because they are easily preyed on by infected older men. “This usually occurs because their fathers did not play a role in their life, which leads them to seeking attention and affection from older men that give them money,” she said.
Keamogetse Ngakatsi told Voice that the event had been sponsored by Twizza, Boxer, Bon Hotel and the Central University of Technology. “The purpose of the event was to create awareness in our community. We also donated toiletries to 50 school learners,” she said.
“I would like to encourage everyone to be tested regularly. It is important to know your status. We felt that it was essential to commemorate this day together with our community because we have lost many people to this disease. We also want to warn the youth to stop experimenting, because one can get infected. I want to remind them to always use condoms,” concluded Ngakatsi.
LEBAKENG NKABI
