Light a candle

Subject: International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day
Never Give Up; Never Forget – Sunday 18 May 08

AN INVITATION FROM AASRA CHARITABLE TRUST [ACT India]
Dear Friends:

Every year, on the third Sunday of May, we have come together to remember the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and to express our solidarity with the families rendered dysfunctional through this pandemic.

There are over 12,500 people living with HIV in Bihar, with 1,664 people testing positive in government hospitals in the last financial year. Since the last Candlelight memorial, we have lost 21 people in to AIDS … men, women, and children whom we were in touch with through our social work services. The first time we observed this day, in the year 2000, most of the names read out in the memorial ceremony were remote. As each year passes, the names have become tangible, recognisable, and the sense of loss deepens.

This year, we propose to have an evening of music “Sambodhan” to be held at our usual venue: St. Xavier’s School, Patna. The memorial service will take place on the 18th as part of the programme.

We look forward to your participation and help in this grassroots event.