with AIDS, expand the existing support network and increase education about the disease if the country is to adequately deal with the AIDS epidemic.

This was the message yesterday from visiting authors and lecturers Dr. Gerald Jampolsky and his wife, Diane Cirincione, at a workshop focusing on AIDS and HIV-related grief counselling for children.

"AIDS knows no boundaries,'' said Dr. Jampolsky, emphasising that anyone could find themselves infected. "Those people need our help and understanding. We must let go of our judgments and expectations of others, then use our talent and inspiration to help them.'' The couple have spent years counselling children and adults affected by life-threatening illnesses, and co-founded the AIDS Hotline for Kids based at The Center for Attitudinal Healing in Tiburon, California.

School counsellors, health care workers, ministers and those involved with local assistance organisations attended yesterday's seminar, which was held at the Elbow Beach Hotel. A public meeting on the subject will take place tonight at the St. Paul's AME Centennial Hall, beginning at 7.30 p.m.

Ms Cirincione told the gathering that by the year 2000 at least 10 million children worldwide will have lost both parents to AIDS. She said the world was "totally unprepared'' to handle the situation, and steps must be made now to make sure future orphans are cared for.

The stigma associated with the disease was often passed on to the children after it became known their parents died as a result of AIDS, she said.

One Bermudian panelist recounted how his nieces were harassed by other children who taunted them at school and sent them anonymous notes about their mother's illness.

"They would come home crying, but they would never tell their mother,'' said the man, who lived with the family for the last two years of his sister's life.

"Tomorrow is never promised,'' he added. "Tomorrow, maybe you will have AIDS.'' Throughout their presentation, Dr. Jampolsky and Ms Cirincione reiterated that persons with HIV or AIDS should not be subjected to condemnation, but receive compassion instead.

"We should ask ourselves: am I here to love, or am I here to judge?'' said Dr. Jampolsky. "You can't live a religious life then go out and make judgments on other people.'' Truth is the most important aspect of preparing children for the imminent death of a parent, said Dr. Jampolsky. This gives them time to adjust and adapt, and does not leave them in the dark.

"If you try to protect them, they will see right through it,'' Dr. Jampolsky added. "You can't lie to children.'' In addition to suggesting the establishment of a grief facility for children in the Island, Dr. Jampolsky and Ms Cirincione said care givers also needed assistance.

They said most people caring for persons with AIDS were overworked, and support groups for professionals, health care workers and family members could be a "source of strength'' for them.

Dr. Jampolsky said such groups often had better results than sessions with psychiatrists or social workers. He also said professionals working with persons with AIDS should become "human beings again and start giving'', rather than building up "defensive walls'' for fear of becoming too involved with those under their care.