Early morning staff from Mother of Perpetual Help Center gathered at a central location in Nong Bua Lamphu city preparing for the arrival of students and teachers from 12 different schools from the Non Sang District - these schools in 2011 have gone through the Aids Education and Awareness Program. Each school sent 12 student representatives with 1 or 2 of the teachers. Workers from the Health Department, Education Department, Sub Health Centers and other government officials also joined in the parade through the city.This years theme was "Getting to Zero", "Zero New HIV Infections", "Zero Discrimination" and "Zero Aids Related Deaths".
Youth from Ban Mae Marie, healthier patients from our hospice, volunteers and other interested persons from the city joined in the mornings activities and the parade through the city.
Once everyone was present baloons were sent off into the aid with loud fireworks to begin the event. The baloons were meant to end up somewhere where no one new; however, as the fireworks went off the explosions brought the baloons down in the same area "mai pen rai" as is commonly heard.
All participants received a t-shirt to remember the occasion with the new SVD Foundation logo in the front of the shirt.
It took some time before all schools arrived. All lined up patiently and waited for the parade to begin.
Nong Bua Lamphu is not a small city, but also not a large city so marching through the main areas only took about 1 hour with police escort and loud Isaan music to attract attention. December 1st is also the founding day for Nong Bua Lamphu becoming a Province 18 years ago. There were other activities going on in the city for this purpose as well as preparation for the Kings Birthday which is celebrated on December the 5th. Mother of Perpetual Help Center has been the only organization promoting World Aids Day activities over the past few years.
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