Wish you were here?

Christian Aid

A postcard from Jamaica

Christian Aids Wish you were here? show garden at the July 2006 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (4-9 July 2006) will focus on the importance of education in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Created by award-winning garden designer Claire Whitehouse, the garden is inspired by Christian Aid funded HIV/AIDS projects in Jamaica.

It will whisk flower show visitors away from the familiar picture-postcard images associated with the Caribbean, to the other side of Jamaica, where they will be introduced to Christian Aid partners and the vulnerable people with whom they work.

Behind the glossy brochure image of Jamaica hides a very different reality for the majority of its 2.7 million inhabitants. Young Jamaicans in particular are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, poverty, illiteracy and growing unemployment.

The Caribbean has the worlds second highest HIV infection rate after sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS claimed an estimated 24,000 lives across the region last year; it is the leading cause of death among 15-44 year olds. There are 300,000 people living with HIV in the Caribbean and there were 30,000 new infections there in 2005.

In 2005, HIV/AIDS caused 3.1 million deaths globally. In total 40.3 million people are living with HIV and 4.9 million were newly infected last year. HIV/AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981.

Karen Hedges, show garden project manager for Christian Aid, said: HIV/AIDS presents us with an enormous challenge and often it is the poorest communities that are worst affected.

'Education is vital. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and HIV rates are continuing to rise at an alarming rate.

'We want to educate visitors to the garden about the great work of our partners and encourage them to join us in the fight against this deadly disease. The garden will be both beautiful and educational.

Christian Aid works in 50 countries with people of many cultures and religions. We fund 190 partners working on HIV/AIDS projects in 40 countries.

In 2004 the Christian Aid show garden focused on trade justice in Senegal and won the prestigious Tudor Rose for best in show and an RHS Gold Medal.