He is only 22 years old, but Jordan Brown* has already been living with HIV for four years.

Jordan was devastated when he found out that he was infected with the disease but, through the support of family and friends, he is trying to live positive and is now making a difference in the lives of young people.

"You need to to be focused and know what you want in life. Hold off and hold on," Brown is advising Jamaica's youth.

"With everything that we do, we need guidance," he told The Gleaner yesterday, following a church service held at the Swallowfield Chapel in St Andrew ahead of today's commemoration of World AIDS Day.

"I have been down and now I'm rising up to the top and I have to give God thanks," he told the congregation.

Brown said HIV was not a death sentence and one could not look at an individual and determine that he or she is living with the disease.

He encouraged persons to get tested for HIV and to use condoms when they have sex.

Today is being observed as World AIDS Day under the theme 'Youth Take the Lead'.

List of some of activities for today

National Event at Devon House - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (persons have the opportunity to get tested for HIV).

Jamaica Red Cross March from Dunrobin Primary to Devon House - 3 p.m.

National AIDS Council Fund-raising Dinner - 7:30 p.m. at Knutsford Court Hotel