losses due to AIDS.

This is the sentiment of STAR director Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong and others who deal with people with AIDS and their relatives on a daily basis.

AIDS has claimed about 175 lives in Bermuda since the first case was reported in the early '80s.

And several of the 175 belonged to the same family or circle of friends.

Well aware of this, Mrs. Armstrong said STAR, which already offers emotional and spiritual support to those with AIDS and their relatives, would next year be looking at more ways to assist.

She also warned that the community could become numb, if it did not remain aware and sensitive to the needs of people who have lost loved ones to AIDS.

Mrs. Armstrong said such people not only needed the support of groups like STAR and Compass -- a group for those who are grieving -- but they needed support from other family members and friends.

"Not only are their material losses,'' she said. "There's so much that goes along with grieving. And the griever must sometimes take on a new role in life such as becoming the only provider, a single parent, or an orphan.

"We find that not only do we have adults experiencing multiple losses, but children too.

"So we're hoping that teachers, counsellors, Sunday and Sabbath school teachers, and everyone who works with children who may be in this situation will realise this.'' Agape Hospice co-ordinator Mrs. Hilary Soares said a two-to-three day seminar would be held in January for school counsellors, health care workers, ministers, and anyone else who deals with children who have lost their parents to AIDS.

"That's going to be very helpful,'' she said, noting that in Bermuda there were more than 100 orphans due to AIDS.

Mrs. Soares said while there were several bereavement groups throughout the Island, she would like to see something that could help families while AIDS patients were still alive.

And what about support for people like Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Soares, and other caregivers who watch AIDS patients die, sometimes on a daily basis? They all agreed that they could not continue their emotionally-draining work without the support of friends, family, colleagues, and faith in God.

"We've certainly got it (a support system) at the hospice,'' Mrs. Soares said. "We recognise that it is a very serious part of our work because of burnout and sadness.'' Mrs. Armstrong said in addition to a supportive family and executive body, she had taken up diving where she could spend quiet time in a serene setting with God.

And caregiver Mrs. Georgia Carter, who has opened her home many times to those dying from AIDS, said she was about to quit doing so until her son, Albert, also became a caregiver.

"I enjoy it (taking care of AIDS patients), but it hurts and it is exhausting,'' she said.

"But the Lord gives me strength so I'm still going on. Now my son is doing the same thing, so when something happens we can talk it over and that's good for me as well as him.'' And while Mrs. Carter said she would like to see more support groups for those who have lost friends and relatives to AIDS, she said she was not sure if Bermuda was ready for such open discussion groups.

"So far that has not worked in Bermuda,'' she said. "Bermuda is too small. I feel a one-on-one basis is better.

"I find that people will call me rather than participate in a group session because some people still don't know how to keep their mouths shut.''