Mobafa Baker

HIV/AIDS - Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean, Mexico and Central America)

The spread of HIV/AIDS is accelerating in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The government is so concerned about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS that it has recognised it as a national development priority and has increased the national budget to respond to the epidemic. However while the government’s initiatives are helping to prevent infection, Mobafa Baker is concerned about those already living with the illness. As an active member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, Mobafa is saddened when he sees people living with HIV/AIDS being denied support by the Christian community.

“There is a high level of stigma and discrimination within the faith-based community around HIV/AIDS,” he says. “This has been caused by a high level of ignorance about the disease”.

Mobafa has been working with a group of 25 youths to develop an action plan to reduce the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS within the church. He hopes his experience at OIYP2004 will help to mobilise young people aged between 10 and 25 to spread the message that discrimination encourages rather than reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS.