Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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6 THE GAMECOCK • Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 Education campaigns highlight recognition of World AIDS Day Dafi Diouf THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FATICK, Senegal — Schoolchildren in Senegal pledged to abstain from sex and village women in India cast off a veil of shame about their HIV status as World AIDS Day was marked Thursday around the globe. , “Our teacher told us that AIDS is a very dangerous disease,” said 13-year-old Aissatou Niang, wearing a green Muslim headscarf. “Only abstinence can save us,” she said as her schoolmates giggled nearby. Such frank talk among African children is key, say anti AIDS campaigners who emphasize science can help combat the disease, but ignorance ' dr taboos surrounding its transmission means AIDS is hard to halt — and treat. About 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Some 3 million of them are expected to die of AIDS this year. Africa, with only 10 percent of the world’s population, suffers over half of its HIV infections. Heavily Muslim Senegal , is a relative bright spot on the continent, with only about 1 percent of the population infected. On Thursday, 'dozens of children packed a schoolhouse in the central town of Fatick to learn more about the disease. “I’ve decided to wait until I’m 19 to have a relationship,” said one of the students, Awa Sarr. “When I go back home I’ll tell my brothers and sisters about AIDS. That’s why we’re here.” In India, some 70 HIV infected women stepped out of the shadows during a rally in Golaghat, a town in eastern Assam state, to acknowledge they are living with AIDS and should not be shunned. “I’m happy many women have paid heed to our call and have openly admitted to their HIV-positive status,” said Jahnabi Goswami, 28. “Men with the disease need to follow • » suit. An estimated 5.1 million people are living with HIV in India — the most in any single country except South Africa. Nigeria, Africa’s most-populous nation, is third. South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka urged her countrymen Thursday to show their concern about AIDS throughout the year. “Whatever good we do today, let us repeat it tomorrow, next week and in the coming months as we look forward to the years ahead,” she said. South Africa’s government has been accused of responding sluggishly to the crisis. Life prolonging anti-retroviral drugs only became available through "■•ivypp'."".—|-! the public health system last year in South Africa. In a speech in Washington, President Bush pledged to expand the AIDS prevention programs the United States funds in Africa and elsewhere around the world that emphasise abstinence as well as condom use. Critics have said the programs stress abstinence at the expense of condom use, a dangerously unrealistic approach. From the far reaches of the globe, people showed solidarity with the worlds AIDS sufferers. Thousands of candles were to illuminate the Swedish winter gloom, with anti-AIDS vigils planned for the capital, Stockholm, and a southern city, Malmo. The British government marked World AIDS Day by contributing $48 million to the global fight against the disease. Estonia’s National Institute for Health Development campaigned Thursday for increased tolerance of HIV infected persons. With over 5,000 diagnosed cases, Estonia has among the highest number of HIV infections in Europe. Alon Skuy / The Associated Press Children from The French School in the Morningside suburb, form a symbolic ribbon on World AIDS Day in Johannesburg on Thursday. The school held the event to show their support for people suffering from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and the world. * LARGEST Suites in Town! £ FREE Shuttle to USC ADDITIONAL Inside Storage ► AFFORDABLE Prices PERSONAL Bathrooms 24 Hour Fitness Center Basketball & Volleyball ► FREE Tanning Capsules! ■ Cable with HBO Included ► High Speed internet Resident Computer Lab * XBox Game Room Billiards Table Resort Style Pool and Spa Electronic Deadbolts -1 Parking Services and Vehicle Management will be offering a Holiday Shuttle to take students to the airport. All pick-ups will be in front of the Russell House and students must call the Shuttle office at 777-1080 to sign up. Shuttle run dates and times: Friday, Dec. 9th 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10th 9 a.m., 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11th 9 a.m., 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12th 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. i . ■< '