The West Indies cricket team receives a “Unite For Children, Unite Against AIDS” welcome as they arrive in Georgetown, Guyana for their crunch match against Sri Lanka on

Sunday 1st April.

By Stuart Sutton-Jones CHEDDI JAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, 30 March 2007 – Under banners proclaiming ‘Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS’, young cricketers from across Guyana welcomed the West Indies cricket team as they arrived at Cheddi Jagan International Airport near Georgetown on Friday. The children were members of school cricket teams that had taken part in the ‘Kiddies Cricket’ national knockout competition, sponsored by Scotiabank. Festive Greeting The 77 youngsters had gathered to provide a festive greeting to their Caribbean heroes who, despite recent defeats by Australia and New Zealand in the Super 8 stage of the ICC World Cup 2007, still carry the hopes of millions of cricket-lovers on their shoulders. In this cricket-mad part of the world, most children play Guyana’s national game, and although these young cricketers had not made it to the final rounds of the ‘Kiddies Cricket’ competition, they were delighted to take part in Friday’s welcoming ceremony.

Children at Cheddi Jagan International Airport waving flags to welcome the arrival of the

West Indies cricket captain, Brian Lara, is welcomed by West Indies cricket team. a young cricketer as the team arrives in Guyana Accompanied by members of the West Indian Cricket Board (WICB), representatives of the ICC World Cup 2007 and other officials, the children greeted the West Indies players on the tarmac, waving flags and dancing to the sound of tassa and African drumming, before presenting them with t-shirts emblazoned with ‘Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS’ slogan. The airport greeting was organized by UNICEF, a member of the partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, that is using cricket to highlight the situation of children and young people living with, and affected by, HIV. All around the Caribbean, members of cricket teams taking part in the ICC World Cup 2007 have been visiting facilities where young people can receive information on HIV and AIDS, as well as counseling and testing.

Sports Can be Used to Fight AIDS UNICEF Child Survival Officer, Michelle Rodrigues said UNICEF was taking the opportunity to sensitize students about HIV / AIDS and how sports can be used in the fight against the disease. “The interaction between children and famous sportsmen will increase the children’s understanding of the issues related to HIV and instill a positive attitude in their minds.” BACKGROUND For more information: www.uniteforchildren.org International Cricket Council (ICC) In September 2003 the ICC became the first global sporting body to enter into a partnership with UNAIDS to help raise awareness and reduce stigma around AIDS. This partnership, which has seen a series of activities take place since its inception, including annual activities on World AIDS Day and at major ICC events, was joined by UNICEF in 2006. UNAIDS UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations to the global AIDS response. Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Based in Geneva, the UNAIDS Secretariat works on the ground in more than 80 countries world wide. Visit the UNAIDS website at: www.unaids.org UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. Visit the UNICEF website at: www.unicef.org Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) The CBMP unites over 50 top broadcasters from 23 countries in the region’s first coordinated media response to the pandemic. The Partnership shares information and resources to expand AIDS-related programming and public education activities across the Caribbean. The CBMP is overseen by a Steering Committee of broadcast executives representing a diverse constituency of media houses and countries from the region, with strategic and technical guidance and production support from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Ford Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation provide additional financial support. For more information, visit: www.cbmphiv.org. Contact information Stuart Sutton Jones, UNICEF Consultant – 1 868 623 7056 Ext 5; Mobile: 1-604-781-1425, email: ssj100@shaw.ca

Leslyn Thompson, Communication Officer – 1 868 623 7056 Ext. 5 OR 1 592 225 9993: email lthompson@unicef.org.