Elvis Newton and Ian Richards (L-R)
Photo By SKNIS
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
May 21, 2008 (SKNIS)
HIV/AIDS awareness in St. Kitts and Nevis was injected with new energies as the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors unveiled the latest initiative designed to encourage behavioural change through informed decision making.
A media launch for the project called “The More You Know” was held at Government Headquarters on Tuesday, and was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Health and Youth as well as an official from the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
St. Kitts and Nevis’ male CARICOM Youth Ambassador Ian Richards gave an outline of the project which is divided into two phases. Phase I is dubbed “Get Tested.” This features the use of a televised Public Service Announcement (PSA) designed to encourage persons to find out their HIV status by having a test done. It uses a creative and up-tempo mix of local photo images and video footage of HIV/AIDS related activities to draw and maintain viewer interest. The declaration of a diverse number of persons from the local community who state “I did it” and ends with “So you can do it too” conveys an effective message as much of the imagery is taken from an HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing event.
Richards indicated that the PSA has tested well with audiences during private screenings “We have received a lot of positive feedback for this PSA and we are excited by the possibilities,” he revealed.
The PSA will be aired on ZIZ Television and the Cable in St. Kitts and on the Information Channel and GIS in Nevis for a minimum of six months.
