(Thursday 22nd October 2009 Issue)
The Nova Scotia-Gambia Association (NSGA), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday October 21st began a four-day sentisation workshop on HIV/AIDs for WFP truck drivers.
The retreat which is currently underway at the Bahai Centre in Bakau is aimed at building the capacity of participants on the pandemic.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ms. Andrea Maedonald, the Executive Director of NSGA hailed the participants for participating in the event. She underscored the significance of the training for drivers, whom she noted, are vulnerable to the disease by virtue of their work.
She disclosed that the workshop is a follow-up to a survey conducted by NSGA, and encouraged the participants to take the workshop seriously.
Mr. Patrick Teixeira, the Head of Programmes at WFP country office also welcomed participants at the workshop. He reminded the participants that the workshop is not only meant to gather and dispatch but to share knowledge. He encouraged the participants to share the knowledge gained from the training with others.
Mr. Mbye Cham, who deputized for the National Aids Secretariat (NAS) Director reaffirmed government?s commitment in the fight against AIDs. He cited the creation of NAS and policies as clear examples.
Fatou Jatta Sowe of NSGA urged them to go for voluntary counseling and testing to know their status.
