Ak Md AI-Muttaqibillah Pg Hj Hassan,19, doing his second year at Universiti Brunei Darussalam in Biological Science, said that joining the council has taught him to be more positive.

"We see people who have been tested positive for AIDS, we give them hope and we get inspired," he said.

There are a lot of youths joining BDAC, he said adding that it has been a really good experience especially working with people of his own age.

"Each meeting or activity (by the council) boosts our confidence. (And) you are inspired by conducting the activities and role models like Iswandy Ahmad, Vice-President of BDAC, who is continuously helping people," he said.

Dk Hanisah Pg Hj Bakar, 20, a scholarship student studying Psychology in Warwich University, said that she joined the council since she was 16 years old.

"It's been five years and I have learnt so much since then," she said.

"You learn to be more independent, more responsible and more active and reactive about things."

She said that last year she joined the B@ktif Competition to implement what she called a 'Happy' project with her teammates in all the country's four districts.

The "Happy" project was to reach out to students in all districts on educating the importance of sexual education and AIDS awareness. We managed to reach 2,000 students," she said.

She pointed out that 'peer-to-peer' contact is one of the most effective ways to get the message across and urges for more people to join.

Spreading the messages can be made easier if they come from a friend, she added.

She added: "There have been a lot more students joining the AIDS council and I am very proud of what we have achieved together."

The volunteers were yesterday gathered at the residence of BDAC Datin Hjh Edah Hj Md Noor for Hari Raya open house. A Doa Selamat was also held in conjunction with the BDAC earning an ASEAN Youth Award.

According to Vice-president of BDAC the award might be received at the end of October.

"We are still finalising the details so there is not much I can tell you yet," he informed The Brunei Times.

Currently, there are 50 members of the BDAC where most of the volunteers are also actively participating in activities overseas, said the vice-president. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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