Published: Wednesday | December 16, 2009
On a trip to a hospice for children infected with HIV/AIDS, she was not aware she would be in for a rude awakening. Not from what she would see, but what she overheard two workers discussing.
The employees spoke merely out of concern, and with no intention for Delrose Burke to hear, but when they said the hospice's bank account was empty and that they could not afford injections, she was determined to do something about it.
"I thought I would come up with something that the children would love, and something that could raise some funds," said Burke of her effort, a costume competition at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory.
The dance and drama teacher and production director at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory spoke to The Gleaner on Monday, after the Traditional and Contemporary Costume Competition awards presentation ceremony that was held on the school grounds in Liguanea.
Burke said the event had a two-year absence after several administrative changes and other glitches, but sought to assure the public she was now confident it was back to being a calendar mainstay.
"I'm feeling good, and I always talk to the parents about it," she said, adding that parents were supportive of the venture.
Heartfelt donation
A cheque totalling $30,000 was handed over to Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) to assist children who are living with HIV/AIDS. This donation was well received by Stacy-Ann Jarrett, executive director of JASL, who appeared to be at a loss for words as she tried to respond after receiving the cheque.
Parents, staff and children, who had donned costumes, were all showered with words of encouragement and gratitude. "I want to thank you for supporting your children, and helping to support our youth that will build the base of our society," added a beaming Jarrett.
Jarrett said approximately 18,000 children are currently orphaned in the island because of HIV/AIDS. "The issues that they face are those of abandonment, of neglect, of having to take care of parents," she said.
However, Jarrett made it clear that all was not lost, and urged individuals to make a positive difference. "We do have the power to change the world that we live in. Everybody has the power to do one thing good every day to change the world," she said confidently.