Ottawa Students Raise Awareness of HIV/Aids

Michael Frederiksen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:22:07 +0000

A.Y. Jackson SS Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction for Kenya

Published by Ottawa Start on January 16, 2012

Community Education Services (CES) message is clear – we must do more, we must act for those who have no voice and in doing so we will make a difference. It is a philosophy that has inspired A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Grade 12 International Business students to partner with CES Canada and with CES Kenya.

The local student effort will help to provide access to education for orphans and other HIV/AIDS children living in Kenya. A.Y. Jackson is holding its Annual Gala Dinner to showcase the plight of youth in Kenya. The event includes a silent auction and raffle and takes place on January 16, 2012, at Holiday Inn in Kanata (101 Kanata Ave), beginning at6:30 pm. Also on the bill is the very talented A.Y. Jackson Glee Club. All profits from the dinner and silent auction will go directly to Community Education Services Canada.

Teacher, Mark Hoogenraad said, “The students have come together and created an event that promotes awareness and encourages people to take action – to make a difference, one person at a time.” Mr. Hoogenradd added that his students have worked very hard to ensure that this evening’s event is a success – because they know every dollar raised will make a significant difference in the lives of their peers in Kenya.

Every day, HIV/AIDS affects people of all ages around the world. This decade, HIV/AIDS will kill more people than all the wars and disasters in the past 50 years combined. More than 25 million people have died from HIV/AIDS with more than 40 million people infected.

Community Education Services Canada’s mandate is to build public awareness around the pressing issues surrounding HIV/Aids.~ The hope is that this awareness will lead to concrete and constructive action. Their call to action asks that all sectors of society, from across the political, community, and corporate arenas join forces to promote justice and peace for all peoples of the world. ~CES stands for tolerance, justice and human rights and hopes that by taking action and leading by example, they can encourage other organizations to do the same. ~Dr Charles Mayenga, CES Canada Director will be the keynote speaker at tonight’s gala. He has just returned from Kenya and will have much to share with the group.

All profits from the dinner and silent auction will go directly to Community Education Services Canada. CES Canada is partnered with CES Kenya to provide access to education for orphans and other HIV/AIDS affected children living in Kenya.