South African team visits HIV/AIDS project in Guyana

"Every wicket counts in cricket, and it's the same with the fight against HIV and AIDS - everybody's contribution makes a difference".

These were the words of UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Guyana and Suriname, Dr Ruben del Prado during a visit by members of the South African cricket team to the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre in Georgetown.

After their close victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the South Africans felt they could afford a little relaxation. On Friday, members of the team, including Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock and A.B. de Villiers, along with fielding coach Jonty Rhodes, went to the Health Centre to show their support for the HIV youth initiatives it undertakes.

Escorted by the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; UNICEF-Guyana Representative Johannes Wedenig, and Dr del Prado, the visitors were escorted into a crowded hall full of schoolchildren and onlookers.

Under banners calling people to 'Unite For Children, Unite Against AIDS' the event unfolded, hosted by local schoolchildren, Murisa Stewart and Darren Sills, who welcomed the visitors and spoke of the need to fight against the spread of the HIV virus.

Health Minister Ramsammy told the assembly that HIV and AIDS was a global problem: "We are all in this together, and AIDS can only be beaten if we work as a team."

He was joined in this by UNICEF Representative, Johannes Wedenig, who said it was heartening to see the peoples of South Africa and Guyana joining hands in a common cause. The cricketers showed what was possible by making healthy choices in life. "Knowledge is power", Mr Wedenig said, "and by empowering children with knowledge to protect themselves, we can win."

Speaking on behalf of the South Africans, the team's fielding coach, Jonty Rhodes said that as well-known sportsmen they had the opportunity to highlight problems. South Africa had a high incidence of HIV, he said, so the national cricket team was committed to doing all they could to raise awareness about HIV, and fight the stigma and discrimination that surround it.

In a solemn moment, Jonty Rhodes and student Saud Aziz tied Bands of Commitment on each other's wrists, as all present swore to protect themselves and each other against HIV.

After the formal ceremony, the visitors toured Dorothy Bailey - Guyana's first youth-friendly health centre - before everyone went outside to play some cricket.

The visit was organised by the partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, to highlight the situation of children and young people living with, and affected by, HIV.