Romanian’s unite in Candlelight Memorial
Some 20 World Vision volunteers led a march in Constanta city in partnership with the Baylor Foundation, Romanian Association against AIDS and “Close to You Romania Foundation”. They reminded community members about the 5,402 people who died as a result of AIDS in Romania, between 1985 – 2008. They also distributed brochures with basic information on HIV and AIDS to inform people that 10,000 HIV positive children and adults from Romania are still fighting not just against the illness, but against discrimination.
“Our volunteers were touched by this event and understood the need to be united with HIV positive people and their families”, said World Vision Romania – Constanta Office spiritual counsellor, Gabriel Mitroi.
The march in silence followed some major avenues in Constanta and stopped in front of the City Mall where the children unfolded quilts and lit a candle in memorial of those who have died after their second names were read.
“It is the second time that I took part in the march organised on International Candlelight Memorial Day and I hope to be present the next year too”, George Lungu, a volunteer from Constanta County said.
“Knowing some HIV positive teenagers, I tried for a moment to put myself in their shoes to understand what they are feeling. It was a new, touching experience which gave me a perspective about the fears they usually face concerning the illness and the discrimination. I didn’t know that HIV positive persons suffer so much”, said Ana, a World Vision volunteer from Constanta.
Knowing some HIV positive teenagers, I tried for a moment to put myself in their shoes to understand what they are feeling Some 520 children and teachers from two primary schools and a high school from Valcea town also participated in the Candlelight Memorial by spreading flyers about the event’s history, distributed red ribbons to the passers-by and politely invited the participants to keep a moment of silence .
“I took part in this event because I wanted to be united with them who passed through such a problem. We had two cases here in Vitomiresti village and we know how deeply the families’ suffering was”, said Cati Bubulina, a Vitomiresti highschool teacher.
“I was pleasantly impressed by the pupils’ attitude. I saw them feeling something and realising that life is precious. Candlelight memorial was a reflection time for them and the students were deeply touched”, added the highschool teacher.
Almost 200 people from Craiova city gave respect to the children, parents and friends who died as a result of AIDS, starting with a commemorative mass in their honour and following with the march. Organised by the Local Coordination Group which includes organisations that work for and with HIV positive people- such as World Vision, the event also aimed to inform people from Craiova that in Dolj County there are more than 250 people living with HIV that need to be accepted and supported to lead a full life.
Across the world, a person dies from AIDS or an associated illness every ten seconds.
“Our volunteers were touched by this event and understood the need to be united with HIV positive people and their families”, said World Vision Romania – Constanta Office spiritual counsellor, Gabriel Mitroi.
The march in silence followed some major avenues in Constanta and stopped in front of the City Mall where the children unfolded quilts and lit a candle in memorial of those who have died after their second names were read.
“It is the second time that I took part in the march organised on International Candlelight Memorial Day and I hope to be present the next year too”, George Lungu, a volunteer from Constanta County said.
“Knowing some HIV positive teenagers, I tried for a moment to put myself in their shoes to understand what they are feeling. It was a new, touching experience which gave me a perspective about the fears they usually face concerning the illness and the discrimination. I didn’t know that HIV positive persons suffer so much”, said Ana, a World Vision volunteer from Constanta.
Knowing some HIV positive teenagers, I tried for a moment to put myself in their shoes to understand what they are feeling Some 520 children and teachers from two primary schools and a high school from Valcea town also participated in the Candlelight Memorial by spreading flyers about the event’s history, distributed red ribbons to the passers-by and politely invited the participants to keep a moment of silence .
“I took part in this event because I wanted to be united with them who passed through such a problem. We had two cases here in Vitomiresti village and we know how deeply the families’ suffering was”, said Cati Bubulina, a Vitomiresti highschool teacher.
“I was pleasantly impressed by the pupils’ attitude. I saw them feeling something and realising that life is precious. Candlelight memorial was a reflection time for them and the students were deeply touched”, added the highschool teacher.
Almost 200 people from Craiova city gave respect to the children, parents and friends who died as a result of AIDS, starting with a commemorative mass in their honour and following with the march. Organised by the Local Coordination Group which includes organisations that work for and with HIV positive people- such as World Vision, the event also aimed to inform people from Craiova that in Dolj County there are more than 250 people living with HIV that need to be accepted and supported to lead a full life.
Across the world, a person dies from AIDS or an associated illness every ten seconds.
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