The Minister of Youth, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Thursday, cautioned students of Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre against the dangers of HIV/Aids and advised them to take preventive measures.

Nsengimana was attending the official launch of ‘Week for True Love’ campaign, organised by Imbuto Foundation at Iwawa centre, to foster faithfulness among lovers to help reduce the risks of new HIV/Aids infections among the youth aged between 15 to 24 years.

According to Ladegonde Ndejuru of Imbuto Foundation, the campaign is part of the national anti-Aids campaign.

"HIV is a world scourge. That’s why we encourage youth like you to voluntarily test for HIV to know your status, hence knowing which way forward,” said Nsengimana.

Since it has been proved that circumcision reduces the risks of contracting the disease, the minister encouraged the students to embrace the exercise.

Currently, 11 of the over 1,500 students at the training centre are HIV positive and on medication.

"This campaign aims to encourage parent-adolescent communication on sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention as well as empowering girls and young women to adopt HIV prevention methods,” added Ladegonde.

The government set up the rehabilitation and vocational skills development centre on Iwawa Island, in 2010, to give street children a second chance – to build a decent future.

Thadeo Mvuyekure, an HIV positive student, advised his colleagues to desist from temptations that may lead them into contracting the virus.

"You should carry out voluntary testing to know your status early just like I did, and those found HIV positive should not despair because you can live positively and productively with the virus,” Mvuyekure urged.   

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