Saturday 5 December
About a hundred people from Ottawa’s diverse communities were at the River Jordan Ministries on Bentley Street on Saturday for an information session on HIV/AIDS. The event was organised as partnership between Somerset West Community Health Centre and the River Jordan Ministries led by Rev. Joseph Kiirya. There were presentations on the incidence of this disease, especially among people of African, Caribbean and Black heritage (ACB), who according to Canada-wide statistics, are among the highest risk groups for this disorder. Youth from the church did a skit showcasing myths and stigma associated with the disease. There were also poignant testimonies from three people living with the disease (PHA’s), describing the impact of the disease on their personal lives and how it has affected their relationships with friends and families. The evening concluded with a candlelight ceremony in which participants lighted a candle in honour of family members or friends who had been affected directly or indirectly by the disease. Among those in attendance were municipal Councillor Keith Egli, Professor Josephine Etowa of the University of Ottawa School of Nursing, community leader and activist Lily Obina, as well as a group of pastors from other local churches.
