Procter meets HIV/AIDS activists in Antigua
ICC Match Referee Mike Procter met young people in Antigua to learn about a project that is working to reduce the spread of HIV among teens
04-Apr-2007
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Procter visited with the hosts and producers of "Teen Talk," a UNICEF-sponsored half-hour local television talk show that challenges youth to talk openly about HIV prevention.
The group of young people also included members of the Rotoract club, the youth arm of the local Rotary, who have produced HIV/AIDS prevention Public Service Announcements (PSAs) targeting teens, which were funded by UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Office.
Procter's visit came as part of the ICC, UNICEF, UNAIDS and Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS efforts to spotlight children and AIDS during the 2007 Cricket World Cup games. It is a partnership that supports the "Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS" campaign.
"As a sportsman, I've always felt a need to give something back to the sport and the communities that have been so good to me during my career," said Procter.
"There are some things in life that you just have to do. Visiting with these young people in Antigua and seeing how they are taking the fight against HIV and AIDS to their peers directly is one of those things."
During his visit with the eight young persons Procter was presented with copies of the show "Teen Talk" as well as copies of the PSAs. Taking part in the presentation were "Teen Talk" producer Mitzi Allen, host of Teen Talk Denesha Whyte and Keita Mason, the President of the Rotoract Club.
"We're really happy that Mr. Procter took his day off to spend some time with us," said show producer Mitizi Allen. "Teen Talk is very important to the youth of Antigua. We don't rehearse the show beforehand. We just give teenagers the opportunity to talk about issues that are important to them. With so many teens in the Caribbean facing difficult choices today, learning how to protect themselves against HIV and how to make the right decisions regarding their sexuality is very important. We hope that Mr. Procter may be able to take some of these ideas back to South Africa with him and to other parts of the world."