AIDS AWARENESS
IN PURSUIT OF AIDS AWARENESS
6 November 1996 - The day before, we, the Lower Sixes back then, were told to attend a talk on Aids Awareness . The talk which was held at City Hall was given by Datin Marina Mahathir, President of the Malaysian AIDS Council. Also attending were 15 other schools in the District of Kinta , Main Convent, Anderson, ACS and SMI, to name a few. Each school sent 50 students, except for Anderson which sent 100, and SMI, the most , 150, which brought the total of approximately 900 students. Crowded into the hall with keen expectations, all bearing the now-familiar red ribbon over their hearts, we waited impatiently for the arrival of Datin Marina Mahathir.
The programme started off with a speech by the Pengarah Pendidikan, followed by a motivation talk by Encik Mansoor J.A. Fanner from Hospital Bahagia. The long-awaited Datin Marina then took the stage and the curiosity of the crowd was fulfilled as to why the media proposed her as the most dynamic spokesperson for the combat against AIDS.
The 1 hour and 15 minute long speech included the statistics showing the increasing numbers of HIV-positive people in the world, and a very informative fact-and-fallacy session. The AIDS Council President stressed especially the issues of AIDS and young people and also promoted the fostering of love and care for AIDS patients. We were surprised by the stark account of how AIDS patients suffer daily from ostracism by society and the indelible fear they live with.
Datin Marina retained a strong rapport with the large audience throughout the session , which was a grand accomplishment, considering the audience consisted of 900 restless people. This was achieved due to her easy manner of speaking and her usage of layman’s language to get her message across. The question-and-answer session led to various questions from the prevention of AIDS to the care of AIDS patients. Besides that, bolder questions touching controversial issues such as race and government policies were all answered with a touch of sincerity and equanimity.
Each school was given an 8 meter long cloth to create their own AIDS Awareness slogan and to fill up the cloth with signatures of those who wish to render their support in the fight against AIDS. The 15 pieces of cloth was then joined together to form the longest banner in Malaysia, stating a place in the Malaysian Book of Records. The banner was presented to Datin Marina to put on display during World AIDS Day in Kedah. Prior to that, SMI was proud to have had the banner displayed on it’s majestic and grand building.
We understand now why the media proclaimed Datin Marina Mahathir the best spokesperson in the fight against AIDS for she spoke with pure sincerity , dynamism and full of poise. She is the ambassador to create AIDS awareness among the people in our country and she started with us, the students of St Michael’s Institution, Ipoh. It is no wonder that Datin received enthusiastic applause and support as she stepped down from the podium.
AIDS Awareness Campaigns have been carried out world wide to lessen the fear of those who suffer from the deadly disease, but more for those whose loved ones are victims of AIDS. AIDS have claimed millions of lives around the world. Many look to the victims as outcasts of society. We cannot ostracise them , instead we must love and support them throughout their pain and suffering and their continuing fight for life.
This is our belief, as participants, in our fight against AIDS. As individuals ,we have the right to choose between what is right and what is wrong and in doing so we choose to honour our virtue. Thus, we prevent ourselves from being subjected to this deadly disease.
‘We Stand Firm Against AIDS , We Choose To Honour Our Chastity.’
(Slogan submitted by St Michael’s which obtained 2nd placing)
