Caribbean Nazarene Youth International (NYI) leaders are taking part in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in Haiti where an anti-AIDS program has been started. 

This program is aimed at training district NYI trainers on each of the eleven districts of Haiti, who will train youth leaders from local churches, who will then train their youth. Over 400 local Nazarene churches and 15,000 Nazarene young people are targeted for this year-long program. This training will help our young people protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, minister in their communities, as well as increase their awareness of the need to develop their potential for a secure future.

To this end, the first training session for trainers was held November 13-15, 2009, at Luly, Arcahaie. The 32 trainers from NYI and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) were all determined to take this training for the welfare of the youth, especially the young Haitian Nazarenes. Two to three NYI trainers per district were trained, with all 11 districts represented.  NCM in Haiti, under the guidance of Pastor Walliere Pierre, was represented with seven participants.

Miss Leila Emmanuelle Anglade, special envoy of Food for the Hungry, an organization working in Haiti, led the training during these three days. Guests included Rev. Monte Cyr, Caribbean Youth Ministries coordinator (Regional Office), Rev. Dexter Daly, NYI coordinator of the Caribbean English Field (Trinidad), Rev. Sadrack Nelson, former Haiti NYI coordinator, and Rev. Walliere Pierre, Haiti NCM coordinator.

The Rev. Pierre Audain Ornan, NYI Caribbean French Field coordinator, has worked hard to ensure that every district’s trainers were available and trained to work and achieve the objective of this program. The trainers understand the need to get involved in the fight against AIDS. And through questions and answers and teachings, they now have a better understanding of the damage caused by this disease in the world and in Haiti, and are motivated to continue this training to be better equipped to touch the youth in their respective areas.

Part two of the training is scheduled for January 2010, with a roll-out of the training to the local youth leaders beginning in February. We thank all those contributing to the achievement of this activity.

-- Yverose Diogene, Central District NYI president