MALCOLM Speed, CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), who is in the Caribbean for the Cricket World Cup, yesterday praised Children First for its efforts to sensitise youngsters about HIV/AIDS, through its Bashy Bus initiative.

During his visit to Children First, located in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Speed viewed the Bashy Bus – a mobile service launched by the school in collaboration with UNICEF, aimed at disseminating information on HIV/AIDS and encouraging responsible sexual decision-making among young people across Jamaica. The Bashy Bus also offers voluntary confidential testing and counselling wherever it goes.

Speed’s visit was in keeping with the ICC agreement to promote the Global Campaign on Children and AIDS during the Cricket World Cup being held for the first time in the Caribbean. Cricketers and cricketing officials are also expected to visit a number of projects funded by UNICEF and UNAIDS in countries where matches are being played throughout the Caribbean. Children First was Speed’s first stop.

“I am very impressed with the workers here (at Children First). The children are great and they give a

sense of belonging to the organisation, they are happy to be here and are aware of what Children First is trying to achieve,” Speed said. “The cricket entertainment that was provided here was the best cricket entertainment I have had in years,” he added.

In keeping with the cricket theme, the ‘Bashy Bus Krew’ performed a skit and song titled “Sex ‘n’ Cricket”, which used cricket metaphors to promote abstinence and safe sex. The words of the song encouraged persons to use protection, just as how cricket players “pad up” before a match.

“We nah have sex till we sure seh we body mature and education is secure,” the group said as members chanted the lyrics of the song.

Meanwhile, Claudette Richardson Pious, Children First executive director, told the Observer that the bus, which include peer counsellors on tour, mainly goes into communities that are not normally targeted by health workers.

“We have tested 2,362 person and provided sensitisation for over 25,000 youngster in a year,” she said.

Speed also toured Children First facilities, where more than 600 students from communities at risk receive remedial education, basic skills training, counselling and school/homework assistance.

Students told ICC CEO that crime was the major factor that has forced several young women to become promiscuous because they were not able to go to school during violent flare-ups, making it difficult for them to find ‘constructive things’ to occupy their time.

At the same time, students said they were forced to have sex with older men because of need.

“You find that a lot of these young ladies have sex with these men for money to go to school or to buy things that they need,” a female

student said.

The students, however, lauded the work of Children First, which they said has equipped them with the necessary skills they need to better themselves.