With eyes wide open

Yesterday, December 1st, was World AIDS Day. I was planning on doing a big post but time escaped me so we'll have to settle for one today.

I went to a World AIDS Day Gala Dinner at the University yesterday. It was hosted by WUSC (World University Services Canada), EWB (Engineers Without Borders), FAIR (Friends Aiding International Relief), and the Womyn's Centre. There were some displays on HIV/AIDS, a silent auction, and some pretty good food.

The keynote speaker was Andy. I forget his last name and I can't find it on the website. He was from the Masai Centre, located in Guelph, Ontario.

The Masai Centre is a community-based outpatient clinic offering holistic and compassionate care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS in Wellington-Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and Waterloo Region. They also have a connection with AIDS in Africa, especially in Lesotho. This is manifested with their Bracelets of Hope campaign.

In the spring of 2006 U Guelph launched its own campaign to support the Masai for Africa Project by making a commitment to raise $100,000 as their contribution to the $1 million goal. A cooperative of South African women was hired to make red and white beaded bracelets which were shipped to the University of Guelph and distributed on campus for a donation of $5.

One African woman can make 50 bracelets each day which earns her enough income to feed her children and the orphans in her care for two months and keeps these children in school for the same period of time. Canadians who purchase this bracelet help these women sustain their families and their communities while contributing to the Masai for Africa Project in its efforts to sustain and build HIV clinics in Lesotho and South Africa.

Andy talked a lot about the Bracelets of Hope campaign. It's estimated that if every Canadian were to wear (and purchase) 2 bracelets AIDS in Lesotho could be eradicated.

Andy hadn't always been involved in AIDS in Africa. He used to work in computers but he went to Africa and it changed his life. One thing he said in particular about AIDS struck me:

"I disregarded it because I could."

As shocking as that says it is completely true. We can flip the page, close the browser window, or shut off the TV. We have the luxury of worrying about other problems like school, what to wear, relationships and not about whether or not we will survive to see tomorrow.

Ignorance should never be an excuse. Knowledge really is power.

Find something you're passionate about and learn about it. And tell others what you are learning. Be change. Have a positive effect. Whether it's with poverty, environmental issues, equal rights, tougher regulations for copyright in media...anything. Find your passion and make a difference. There are lots of issues to choose from and many ways we can make a difference.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

- Anne Frank