India Mission 2007: India... A Vision Realized

Our Diary

June 27 - Stigmata

Team India started off their day visiting Dr. J Krishnan, who runs the Indian Christian Mission Centre. Even though, Children’s AIDS Health Program is a non-religious, non-governmental organization, we believe that it is important to not give up the opportunity to work with dedicated social activists.

With the team’s arrival at the Indian Christian Mission Centre, over 1200 children flooded our bus’s entrance curiously trying to figure out what we were up to. After becoming accustomed to the environment, Team India began their workshop, realizing the difficulties of stigma and discrimination amongst the children. One of the difficulties that our team faced was gender segregation and possible feelings of gender inequality. The boys and girls had a hard time working together, since they were not accustomed to such actions, but in the end, the children were able to come together and realize the importance of teamwork.

Team India took on another challenge from Project Concern International by observing and participating in one of their Pathway locations. Pathway clinics locations are sectors that are located throughout the Salem district. Each of these clinics have some compelling stories that are left untold, due to the community’s stigma. To reduce stigma, the community also accepts general patients. One of our members was able to hear some personal stories from some HIV positive communities. These stories can be shared amongst our Canadian youth, to inspire each of them to take action in their communities.