THE United States Office of Public Affairs yesterday launched a series of videos on HIV/AIDS, to educate the public about the deadly disease.

The videos feature the work of nine local organisations, including the Jamaica AIDS Support, Ionie Whorms Counselling Centre, the Centre for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Services, and the Stella Maris Foundation, that have been working to counter the harsh treatment normally meted out to persons living with the disease.

All nine organisations were recipients of grants through the Ambassador’s Fund for HIV/AIDS, from a US$20,000 scheme launched last July by US Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb to support community-based initiatives that promoted the UNAIDS 2003 theme – “Live and Let Live”.

The videos address issues like challenges faced by inner-city residents living with the disease and how communities can support persons living with the disease, as well as their families and friends.

The videos were produced by the Creative Productions Training Centre.

Embassy spokesperson, Orna Blum, said the embassy’s Office of Public Affairs wanted to get the messages in schools as well as aired on local television and cable stations.

Here, Sue Cobb, US Ambassador to Jamaica, speaks at the launch of the videos, yesterday.

(Photo: Michael Gordon)