Flower power deals a fresh blow to HIV-AIDS
-05/07/06
The British, who sometimes strug
Flower power deals a fresh blow to HIV-AIDS
-05/07/06
The British, who sometimes struggle to find the right words for the right occasion, have often been encouraged to ìsay it with flowersî to loved ones. But they often just think of immediate family and friends.
Now international relief, development and advocacy organisation Christian Aid has taken the sentiment a step further in the battle against HIV-AIDs in the Caribbean ñ and has been rewarded by once again scooping a Royal Horticultural Society gold medal.
The aid agency, which acts for a wide range of Britainís Christian denominations, has won the 2006 prize in the ëshow gardení category at the famous Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in London.
Garden designer Claire Whitehouse is delighted that her ëWish you were here…í garden, highlighting Christian Aidís HIV education and prevention work in Jamaica, was favourably recognised by the top judges ñ and has been seen and talked about by thousands of people.
A commentator said: ìThe garden impressed the judges even though it was dealing with the sensitive issue of HIV.î
As Hampton Court temperatures soared to 32 degrees centigrade on 3 July 2006, and people headed for the refreshment tents, project manager Karen Hedges observed: ìLuckily our tropical planting can stand the heat, other gardens have not been so [fortunate].î
The Christian Aid garden explores the two faces of paradise. From the beautiful, lush setting of an idyllic Jamaican hotel setting, it invites the viewer to step through the picture postcard and visit the other side of Jamaica.
The Caribbean has the worldís second highest HIV infection rate after sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS claimed an estimated 24,000 lives across the region last year; it is the leading cause of death among 15-44 year olds. There are 300,000 people living with HIV in the Caribbean and there were 30,000 new infections there in 2005.
In 2005, HIV/AIDS caused 3.1 million deaths globally. In total 40.3 million people are living with HIV and 4.9 million were newly infected last year. HIV/AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981.
Back in 2004 Christian Aidís Senegalese garden, based on the theme of trade justice, won the Tudor Rose prize for the best garden over all, as well as a gold medal.
ìIt is fantastic that the judges have again recognised Claireís brilliant vision and attention to detail,î said Ms Hedges.
[Also on Ekklesia: Combat HIV/AIDS ñ church agency says it with flowers; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Leading church aid agency defends Norman Kember’s integrity; Donít use aid to proselytize, Christians urged; Southern Africa remains gripped by food crisis says Christian Aid; More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone; Church and development groups call for tougher corporate monitoring; Christian agencies welcome Sudan peace but warn over Darfur; Aid agency launches emergency appeal for East Africa; US church aid agency chief backs action on Darfur; Better news for Bangladesh women garment workers]
Flower power deals a fresh blow to HIV-AIDS
-05/07/06
The British, who sometimes struggle to find the right words for the right occasion, have often been encouraged to ìsay it with flowersî to loved ones. But they often just think of immediate family and friends.
Now international relief, development and advocacy organisation Christian Aid has taken the sentiment a step further in the battle against HIV-AIDs in the Caribbean ñ and has been rewarded by once again scooping a Royal Horticultural Society gold medal.
The aid agency, which acts for a wide range of Britainís Christian denominations, has won the 2006 prize in the ëshow gardení category at the famous Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in London.
Garden designer Claire Whitehouse is delighted that her ëWish you were here…í garden, highlighting Christian Aidís HIV education and prevention work in Jamaica, was favourably recognised by the top judges ñ and has been seen and talked about by thousands of people.
A commentator said: ìThe garden impressed the judges even though it was dealing with the sensitive issue of HIV.î
As Hampton Court temperatures soared to 32 degrees centigrade on 3 July 2006, and people headed for the refreshment tents, project manager Karen Hedges observed: ìLuckily our tropical planting can stand the heat, other gardens have not been so [fortunate].î
The Christian Aid garden explores the two faces of paradise. From the beautiful, lush setting of an idyllic Jamaican hotel setting, it invites the viewer to step through the picture postcard and visit the other side of Jamaica.
The Caribbean has the worldís second highest HIV infection rate after sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS claimed an estimated 24,000 lives across the region last year; it is the leading cause of death among 15-44 year olds. There are 300,000 people living with HIV in the Caribbean and there were 30,000 new infections there in 2005.
In 2005, HIV/AIDS caused 3.1 million deaths globally. In total 40.3 million people are living with HIV and 4.9 million were newly infected last year. HIV/AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981.
Back in 2004 Christian Aidís Senegalese garden, based on the theme of trade justice, won the Tudor Rose prize for the best garden over all, as well as a gold medal.
ìIt is fantastic that the judges have again recognised Claireís brilliant vision and attention to detail,î said Ms Hedges.
[Also on Ekklesia: Combat HIV/AIDS ñ church agency says it with flowers; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Leading church aid agency defends Norman Kember’s integrity; Donít use aid to proselytize, Christians urged; Southern Africa remains gripped by food crisis says Christian Aid; More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone; Church and development groups call for tougher corporate monitoring; Christian agencies welcome Sudan peace but warn over Darfur; Aid agency launches emergency appeal for East Africa; US church aid agency chief backs action on Darfur; Better news for Bangladesh women garment workers]