The Mission Giving Committee of St. John's Church, Stratford, is hosting a community day with a difference.

Event date: Saturday 4 August 2007

Time: 12pm and 7pm

Where: St. John's Churchyard, Broadway, Stratford, London, E15 1NG.

This year's Jamaican Independence Day celebrations are set for a fundraising event with a difference. This year, on Saturday, 4 August, the island's 45th birthday will be marked with the creation of a Jamaican village in the heart of Stratford.

Expect a family day of fun and entertainment, with live performances and guest appearances from various celebrities (tbc), crafts, activities, and of course stalls selling traditional Jamaican food, drinks, fruits, cakes and much more. All will be welcome to experience the vibrant culture of Jamaica and, no doubt, they'll find they can't help but join in with the festivities.

Positively Jamaica is more than just a day of fun. The event also aims to act as a platform for health promotion by raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, diabetes and healthy living through some of the activities that will take place on the day.

Positively Jamaica will be hosted by The Mission Giving Committee of St. John's Church, Stratford, in conjunction with Christian Aid. Funds raised will go towards Christian Aid's work in Jamaica with JASL (Jamaica AIDS Support for Life) and the 3Cs (Children and Community for Change).

The Caribbean has the second highest HIV-infection rate after sub-Saharan Africa. HIV-related illness claimed an estimated 24,000 lives across the region last year and is the leading cause of death amongst 15 to 44-year-olds. There are 300,000 people living with HIV in the region. In Jamaica, 22,000 people are HIV-positive. HIV is still heavily stigmatised.

JASL works with sex workers in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston, offering them free health advice, condoms and a vital support network. Christian Aid funds 190 partners working on HIV projects in 40 countries. These partners work to educate people on how to prevent the spread of HIV; to breakdown barriers which HIV has created between people and in communities; to care for those living with HIV and for children orphaned by AIDS.

For more information see our website: http://positively-jamaica.stjohnse15.co.uk/