THERE were no sad faces at last week’s Christmas treat for 72 children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

All thoughts of having to take large dosages of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs were forgotten as the happy children jostled each other for a space in the bounce-about, in-between mouthfuls of cake.

“I am having a good time, and a love the bounce-about the best,” said a seven-year-old girl, her eyes alight with excitement.

“You can take off my shoes for me?” asked a small boy, while struggling to remove his sneakers in order to get into the play area.

The treat was put on by the Centre for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Services (CHARES) at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

CHARES acting programme director Lola Richards said the treat has been ongoing for the past six years, each year catering to an increased number of children who are themselves living with the disease or who have siblings or parents who are infected.

“This year we catered to parents/guardians and children from residential homes, as well as institutions like Dare to Care, Matthew 25:40, and Walkers Place of Safety,” she told the Observer.

An elated Richards said she was delighted to see the joy on the faces of the children, some of whom they thought would have died long ago.

“I am just happy for them, and it shows that AIDS is not a death sentence anymore,” she said. “We had some of the babies who we thought would have died long ago – based on the state that we got them in and when we saw them on the ward… But now there is a sense of joy, happiness and fulfillment when you see them.”

Richards said that with the advent of ARVs, children are living longer and more fulfilling lives.

“ARV is a wonder drug, which has helped mortality to decline,” she noted.

She said that although the treat was for children, the HIV paediatric clinic also catered to youths up to 18 years old – unlike at other paediatric clinics where an age limit of 12 years was observed.

She lauded the support she received from members of the private sector, who contributed to making the treat the success it was for the children.

Among the contributors were Facey Commodity, the US Embassy, Mona Chapel, Ashtrom, Gabriel Enterprise, the Cake Shop, Brick Oven, Christian Convent Academy and Digicel. CHARES also partnered with Project Smiles, which sourced the toys for the children.

The only drawback of the fun-filled day of activities was the fact that it ended earlier than the children would have liked. But they had to return home to take their medication.