Jamaica Aids Support for Life (JASL) (http://www.jamaicaaidssupport.com/) is Jamaica's oldest and largest non-governmental organization working in the area of HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and care. Most of JASL's clients are drawn from the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in our society. Persistent and insidious acts of discrimination and stigmatization faced by these persons severely hinders the national fight against HIV/AIDS. Promoting tolerance towards these individuals is therefore essential to minimize the impact of this dreaded disease on these populations.

Montego Bay has the second highest rate of HIV prevalence in Jamaica and is home to a large number of these marginalized individuals. JASL will therefore be holding a "Walk for Tolerance" in that city on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. The walk will last from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and participants will proceed along Howard Cooke Boulevard starting from Howard Cooke Park to the "Dump-up Beach" using the paved sidewalk on the left of the Highway. The purpose of the walk is to draw attention to the need for tolerance of marginalized groups as an effective method of reducing HIV/AIDS transmission.

You are invited to join us on this historic "Walk for Tolerance." If you are unable to attend, we invite you to send a representative.

Participants will be supplied with posters, banners, and other signage displaying messages of tolerance for the Walk however you are free to bring along any similarly themed material you have. Police permission has been secured for this walk as well as their guarantee of protection.

Contact the head office at 978-2345/978-4668 or headoffice@jamaicaaidssupport.com for more information.