Bolgatanga, April 12, GNA - The Domestic Bursars and Matrons Association in the Upper East region, on Easter Sunday presented food items worth 6.5 million cedis to children living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been made orphan by the disease in Bolgatanga. The items include three bags of millet, two bags of corn, three bags of rice, a bag of sugar, two cartons of soap, a bag gari, palm oil and biscuits.

Presentation the items, the president of the association, Mrs. Lydia Miller, said as mothers, members were morally obliged to provide the children, with food items, especially on a religious occasion like Easter Sunday.

She said the association organised a dinner for the children during Christmas last year, and pledged that members would continue to contribute their widow's mite to mitigate the suffering of needy children.

Reverend Father Agustin Ayaga, of the Catholic Secretariat, commended the association for showing compassion to the children and called on other associations to show love and care for the children. He said the Secretariat since 1999, has initiated programmes aimed at creating awareness among the people about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, and has been able to reach out to 200 communities in the region.

The acting HIV/AIDS coordinator of the Catholic Secretariat, Miss Mathilda Yelbaya said associations of people living with HIV/AIDS have been formed in Bolgatanga, Bawku and Navrongo adding that the one in Bolgatanga currently had over 200 children.