Freeport, Bahamas -
The second workshop was held on Saturday, November 26th, 2011 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Pelican Bay, Canal House. President,
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
Adrian
Carey kept the workshop hyped as he commanded the participation of all
in attendance. This presenters were Rev. Reno Smith, Recording
Secretary, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity targeting more of our young men to
be a part of the program, in his presentation he gave a synopsis of the
Ryan White Story.
Ryan White was a teenage boy who acquired AIDS from a
blood transfusion (he had hemophilia), and later died. Ryan was just
thirteen when he found out he had AIDS, in 1984, and was given six
months to live, though he lived for another five years. During that
time, he became a poster child for the disease and frequently appeared
on television and in public to answer questions from people of all ages
about AIDS. He wanted to make people understand how the disease was and
was not spread.
Also
speaking at the workshop was Ms. Lakiska Russell, School Psychologist
at The Ministry of Education who gave a resounding presentation to the
teens on Discrimination and the effects of HIV/AIDS in our country. The
Teens and Advisor in attendance listened eagerly to these two dynamic
speakers who imparted factual information that everyone could understand
and relate to.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was
incorporated on the campus of Howard University on January 9, 1914 by
three founders namely Langston Taylor, Leonard Morse and Charles Brown.
Today, with well over 115,000 members worldwide, the brothers of Phi
Beta Sigma continue to exemplify their ideals through the motto, a
Culture for Service and Service to Humanity. Members of the Fraternity
in attendance were, Donavan Munroe- 1st Vice President, Averell
Mortimer- Secretary, Marcus Moxey-Treasurer, Hubert Russell- Director of
Bigger and Better Business, Reno Smith-Recording Secretary and Neville
Campbell-Chaplin. The members from Zeta Phi Beta were, Reva
Mortimer-Zeta Phi Beta and Davina Rutherford-Zeta Phi Beta.
The RRC welcomed the fraternity and Sonority
participation
in the second workshop.. The Phi Beta Sigma designed a workshop that
provided excitement while educating our teens about HIV/AIDS. The
workshop included the following: Introduction of the Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity Members, HIV/AIDS Real Talk, STEP into Reality (Step
Presentation about HIV/AIDS Inclusive of the students), Brothers Round
Table discussion about the risks teens will face in high
school/college. Fraternity Members talked about real life experiences.
This positive interaction with the teens was a greater impact than what
is read in any book. Eager to make this partnership a success the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity extended an invitation to members of
Zeta Phi Beta they
are a constitutionally bound sister organization of the
fraternity. These ladies also participated and shared their stories as
once being teens and open to peer pressure. The work shop closed with a
Question and Answer period.
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The
RRC is one hundred percent committed to the education and prevention of
HIV/AIDS. We have two more sessions of the Teen PEP programme The next
session will be held January 11th, 2012 at the Pelican Bay Resort,
Canal House at 6:30pm.. All are invited to attend. We will have a
representative from the American Embassy attending this session.
Parents, Educators and Churches alike are asked to make sure they have
student presenting their perspective high school and Church in
attendance. The first session was just over 100 participants and this
time we hope to triple that amount and we try to remind our adults to
Take the Lead, Keep the Promise – by Stopping HIV/AIDS. Remember the
motto of the GBAAC and RRC ‘
Prevention Now”.
Response from Teen Pep student Participants attending the workshop:-
Tenajha Kennedy - St. Georges High School
The
experience of this program was a very positive one for me .What I have
learned from this workshop was how I to prevent my self and how I can
help others to prevent themselves from contracting this deadly disease.
In The Bahamas we are facing a high risk of this disease going around.
So we as teens must always be cautious and alert at all times. I also
learnt that as young adults must strive to improve and change our
mindset as it relates to this problem that is happening in our country,
because it is causing a major affect on the lives of parents as well as
children. From this experience I have also learned that we must never
take life for granted and that we must always keep our minds on the
goals that we set for ourselves. I promise to strive to live by the
motto of this workshop.
''STOP AIDS KEEP THE PROMISE''
Cinaed Williams - College of the Bahamas
had the tremendous opportunity to attend the Teen Pep Prevention
workshop. While there I was informed about the risk factors that are
associated with having unprotected sex and making unwise decisions. We
discussed the effects on a person’s life when they are diagnosed with
HIV/AIDS. It was presently surprised when I noticed that our speakers
were people from our very own community. The Guest were speakers Bishop
Reno V. Smith and Ms. Lakiska Russell. The most poignant part of the
workshop was a story told by Bishop Smith about a boy that was infected
with the disease and was treated like an outcast. My view of the
workshop is that it was very enlightening and informative. The workshop
was just not educational but also entertaining. The whole session were
hosted by the gentlemen of Phi Beta Sigma and the ladies of Zeta Phi
Beta. I look forward to the next workshop.
Charleigha Knowles - Grand Bahama Catholic High School
I
have attended the workshop from it's inception and I must add that I
have learned a lot from this workshop, especially how to extend a helping
hand to those who have contracted this deadly decease without fear. I
have also learned
that
both AIDS and prejudice against people with the illness are spread by
ignorance. I am convinced that through workshops such as Teen Pep
education CAN help to cut down the number of AIDS cases in our country
and quell the prejudice that is shown to persons who are suffering with
HIV/AIDS. I am happy to be a part of the Teen Pep Program.
Again,
we thank the United States Embassy and Pelican Bay Resort for their
assistance in putting on these workshops. Looking forward to more
Schools, Church, and organization participation at the next workshop.
