Charles Chisala

Lusaka, Zambia

If you are one of those Thomases who doubt the power of children you should have been at Hope Humana in Ndola last Saturday. You surely would have swallowed your doubts. The children, through drama, made it clear that without their active involvement the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic would be futile.

They have now taken up arms to join the war. "We have suffered for too long from the effects of HIV/AIDS. Now is our time to fight for our rights. We will show you our power, and you will feel it!" the children declared. The message was loud and clear.

In shrill, tearful voices the children vented their innocent anger and justified indignation at a society that appears to be indifferent to their plight.

They sounded their war cry at the primary and basic schools drama festival on HIV/AIDS organised by Hope Humana, a project under the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP).