Post by Laoupdate on Feb 1, 2005 2:41:37 GMT -5
Dance targets HIV
Soulivan Vongmany
TEN teams of Vientiane teenagers took part in the final session of a competition to show their dancing talent on Friday as part of the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.
"We always support activities about the danger of drugs and give information about HIV/ AIDS to our youth members as well as giving them a chance to show their talent. This can help them reject temptation," said Vientiane Youth Centre and Development Director Ms Siamphone Sirattanakoul.
She explained that the project was also to celebrate important national events such as the fifth meeting of the Lao Women Union, the 56th anniversary of Lao People's Army Day and the upcoming Women's Day in March.
The competition matched more than 150 youths in 21 teams, 10 of which reached last week's final: Blue, Soda, Rain, Candy, Star, Black Cat, Aminer, My Dream, Country Boy and F-T. The winning team was Country Boy.
All group winners and competitors received cash awards and some informational material.
During the contest, organisers displayed information about HIV from international organisations, revealing that 14,000 people a day are newly infected with HIV, almost 2,000 of them being under 15 years of age; that worldwide in 2004, 4.9 million people were infected; in Laos there are 1,341 HIV-positive people.
"This project helps to keep students away from drugs and show them how to manage their time more usefully," said participant Ms Somchanh.
"I always enjoy taking part in these activities. I am always very happy to join in and look forward to more. They also give me important information, which is a good thing about activities involving youth." she added.
"I believe that if all students used their time in performance or sport, they would be less likely to get interested in drugs."
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Source: vientianetimes.org.la
photo: www.yfa-laos.org