Teens Want To Educate Others About Aids

World AIDS Day. To some this day holds little meaning, but to others it’s seen as a great chance. A chance to educate people and prevent HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from spreading among their peers.

I am speaking in particular of the teens in the peer education group called YAK, or Youth Awareness KORP.

Tonight at 7 p.m. at North Central High School, members of YAK will read a poem, give a small presentation and join others taking part in a candlelight vigil.

They hope their presentation will not only educate the audience about HIV/AIDS, but also remember its victims and bring about an awareness of how pervasive AIDS is. They hope to be an inspiration to other teenagers in the Inland Northwest.

The teens involved in YAK have different reasons for participating and spreading the word about AIDS. Some have seen loved ones die from the disease, others are searching for something they believe is worth fighting for. They all have a passion to rekindler a hope, even if that hope is sometimes seen as a lost cause.

That’s why they fit in perfectly with the World AIDS Day theme: Creating Hope in a World With AIDS.

In a society where teens and women are sharing the largest increases in the number of victims infected with HIV, we sometimes forget it can be prevented. Many prefer to ignore the facts and statistics, saying it can’t happen to the. But it becomes a cruel reality when it affects you or someone you know.

I encourage you to listen to the voices of YAK and make it personal.

To get involved with YAK, call the Spokane Regional Health District at 324-1542 and ask for Becky Nauditt.

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