Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Reverend Dr. Hendrik Witbooi and the US Ambassador Joyce Barr will officially open a New Start HIV/Aids voluntary counselling and testing centre in Mariental on Friday. The Centre is located at the corner of Prosopis and Khoichas Road in Mariental. It is funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief and is operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church Aids Programme (ELCAP), in collaboration with the Social Marketing Association (SMA) and with assistance from Family Health International. The Centre will provide confidential and affordable HIV testing for the Mariental community to empower those tested to protect themselves from being infected by HIV and to maintain a healthy lifestyle while living with HIV. This includes assistance to access anti-retroviral treatment. The US Government enabled ELCAP to renovate their building, resulting in a spacious and community oriented centre, the US Embassy said on Wednesday.