Gatsibo youth to fight Aids in schools

GATSIBO - Youth in Gatsibo District have unveiled an action plan that outlines strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the district over the next five years.The action plan was unveiled last week during a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Youth. According to Godfrey Ruzindana, president of the National Youth Council in Gatsibo, fighting HIV/AIDS in schools will be their priority. “As youth we have realised that the campaign to fight HIV/AIDS in schools is a priority in our district. That is why we decided that it will come in the first phase of our action plan,” he said. Ruzindana said that anti-Aids club competitions, awareness campaigns and many other activities will be conducted across all schools in the district to raise awareness among students. “HIV/AIDS is a dangerous disease, especially for the next generation of students,” he said. Apart from students, Ruzindana said, the campaign will also target school dropouts through football competitions and other forms of entertainment that attract the youth.Other activities to be carried out in the five-year plan include building houses for the needy and participating in government programmes and community work. James Mukunzi, one of the youth at the function, urged fellow peers to dedicate more time to work so as to contribute to the country’s development. “The youth are the only energetic group that every government can bank on…we should work hard and contribute to the country’s development by fighting AIDS and gender-based violence,” he said. Similar launches took place in the districts of Gatsibo, Nyarugenge in Kigali city, Rusizi in Western Province; Burera in the north and Huye in the Southern Province. Ends