THE need to take responsibility for one’s sexual and reproductive health was the message for some 200-plus boys attending a pre-World AIDS Day after-school jam and talent competition at the Cornwall College campus in Montego Bay, St James, last week Thursday.

The after-school jam, conceptualised by the Sandals Resorts in the Montego Bay Region, was made possible through the cooperation of the Cornwall College tourism action club with support from Sandals’ environmental, health and safety teams.

During their visit to the campus, the Sandals team members spoke candidly with students about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. This, while distributing catchy age-appropriate educational pamphlets on HIV/AIDS and prevention measures.

Khadine Daley, Sandals’ regional public relations manager for Montego Bay, noted that “while we’re still placing great emphasis on the importance of abstinence as the best way of preventing the transmission of HIV and other STIs, we want to focus even more attention on the need for our young people to be empowered to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.”

She noted that sharing information and getting young people to open up about HIV/AIDS remains the underlying purpose of the after-school jam initiative, which is now in its second year.

Among the highlights of the event was a talent competition, which featured performances by the school’s most popular and outspoken lyricists. Channelling the latest hits and popular dancehall rhythms, performances were much to the amusement of a sea of young men who gathered to cheer on their classmates.

Common among the pieces presented was the message of abstinence and the importance of being sexually responsible in order to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS. Many of the performers encouraged their schoolmates to ‘abstain from sexual activity and wait until the time is right’ while others highlighted the need to get regular HIV tests and use protection every time. There were also strong messages shunning discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS.

“We who DJ can play an important role in informing our peers about being safe and not discriminating against people with HIV,” said Shomari Lynch, whose dub Abstinence Mek Sense landed him in second place next to fifth former Jaymara ‘Flammy-Jay’ Reid, who placed first in the competition.

For their efforts Jaymara and Shomari were awarded Sandals signature T-shirts and caps and complimentary visits to sister property Beaches Ocho Rios.