There are 33 million people living with HIV worldwide, and almost 3 million new cases have been confirmed in 2007, according to the most up-to-date statistics from the World Health Organization. Massachusetts alone has approximately 24,000 HIV-positive individuals. But the significance of these numbers—including the risks of unprotected sex, one of the main methods of contracting HIV—is sometimes forgotten.
That’s why, since 1988, people from all over the world stand up every December 1, World AIDS Day, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and help fight prejudice against those who are infected. The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), a regional nonprofit health and social service organization, is planning a special Brazilian cocktail party in Cambridge and collaborating with Lowell area organizations to include Portuguese speakers in the World AIDS Day campaign. This year’s global theme is Universal Access and Human Rights.
Lowell ranks #7 in a Massachusetts Department of Public Health report listing cities with the highest HIV infection rates in the Commonwealth. After a City Council meeting on Dec. 1, Lowell Mayor “Bud” Caulfield will read a World AIDS Day proclamation to city officials and attendees. Then a candle light vigil will illuminate the evening in honor of those who have lost the fight against the virus. The event will end at Middlesex Community College, where there will be an awards ceremony and a showing of the AIDS Quilt produced by MAPS and members of the Portuguese-speaking community.
“Our AIDS Quilt is different from other quilts that have made shown elsewhere,” said Osvalda Rodrigues, MAPS’ Director of Family Services and the agency’s Lowell Office Director. “They usually honor those who have died from AIDS, which is a very noble cause. But we wanted to raise more awareness by creating a quilt where our staff and community members could write prevention and education messages about HIV.”
On the evening of December 3, MAPS’ Cambridge office at 1046 Cambridge St. will host a Brazilian Cocktail Party and food tasting that will educate the community about HIV and AIDS, in a friendly and relaxed environment.
“Everyone is welcome to join us,” said Norma Malkiel, MAPS’ Boston Disease Prevention and Education Program Supervisor. “They will get a lot of important information while enjoying a delicious menu.”
The cocktail party, which begins at 6:30 pm, is sponsored by Slow Food Boston, a non-profit organization that encourages the purchase and consumption of natural and local-produced food.
The party will feature tastings of delicious home-cooked Brazilian snacks and drinks with natural ingredients, for Brazilians to savor and other community members to explore. Tickets for the event cost $20. For more information, please call (508) 872-2652 or visit http://slow-food-boston-misc.blogspot.com/2009/11/brazilian-cocktail-party-part-1.html.
MAPS is a private, non-profit agency that offers social and health services to the Portuguese-speaking communities in Massachusetts, including HIV-related education and prevention programs. The agency’s health educators are trained to provide community outreach and education, distributing condoms and informative materials. They also refer clients to HIV tests, and MAPS has additional staff who offer emotional and social support for those who have been infected.
