In this Issue
Celebrate World AIDS Day 2005: Keep the Promise
World AIDS Day is observed annually around the globe
on December 1. It celebrates progress made in the
battle against the epidemic and brings into focus
remaining challenges. The theme of World AIDS Day
2005 is "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise" - a theme that
focuses on personal, community, organizational and
governmental commitments to stop AIDS.
In anticipation of World AIDS Day, UNAIDS and the
World Health Organization released "AIDS Epidemic
Update 2005." According to the report, there is new
evidence that adult HIV infection rates have decreased
in certain countries and that changes in behavior -
such as increased use of condoms, delay of first sexual
experience and fewer sexual partners - have played a
key role in these declines. But the report also indicates
that overall trends in HIV transmission are still
increasing and that far greater HIV prevention efforts
are needed to slow the epidemic.
Despite small decreases in the rate of infection in the
Caribbean, an additional five million new infections were
reported globally in 2005. The number of people living
with AIDS has reached its highest level with an
estimated 40.3 million people, up
from an estimated 37.5 million in 2003. More than three
million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2005; of
these, more than 50,000 were children. The steepest
increases in HIV infections, according to the report,
have occurred in Eastern Europe and Central/East Asia.
But sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the
most affected globally - with 64 percent of new
infections occurring there.
Keep the Promise
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Greetings!
Tomorrow marks World AIDS Day. It's a sad reminder of
the
destruction this illness has caused people the world
over and the work and commitment still needed in
stopping it from spreading any further. With the
magnitude of the situation, it is important to remember
that many small actions add up to positive results.
This newsletter outlines a few small actions Amizade
and our supporters are taking and how you can
contribute with our efforts. Stopping the spread of
AIDS needs to be a global initiative that begins with
engaged individual citizens.
Sincerely,
Michael Sandy, Executive Director
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Professor to Begin Fifth Year of AIDS Research Programs in Africa
"As human beings, I feel we have an obligation to be
with, to share with, and to feel with other living things
in both their suffering and their joy. AIDS is a major
global issue - an insidious disease that afflicts the
innocent when transmitted to infants by their mothers
or to wives by polygamous husbands. It robs children of
their parents and the opportunities that come from
having parents. Treatments that prolong life or diminish
symptoms are readily available on the international
market, but remain largely unavailable for economic or
political reasons in the areas of the world with the
greatest prevalence."
These words from Dr. Linda Winkler, associate professor
of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh -
Titusville, and Amizade program instructor, express
both the hope and heartache of many people working
in communities affected by AIDS. In 2006, Ms.
Winkler will begin her fifth year of AIDS research at the
Nyakahanga Hospital in rural Tanzania (the northwest
Karagwe district, near the border of Rwanda), which
she describes as an exciting, unique and challenging
opportunity. "I have been particularly interested in
disease interventions across cultures throughout my
career as an anthropologist," she said.
Dr. Winkler is collaborating with community members in
Tanzania on projects that examine the social ecology
of HIV/AIDS, as well as developing educational
materials and interventions. "I essentially see my role
as a facilitator for local programs," she said. "I am
interested in the unique character of
the epidemic in this rural area." Dr. Winkler's
research projects there have included a series of
children's books containing AIDS/HIV prevention themes
published in Swahili for primary school children, and a
study of HIV demographics. The local response to her
work thus far has been extremely positive. "My
Tanzanian collaborator and
I have completed the format and text for a second
book and the zonal office in Tanzania has requested a
sequel to the first."
Other projects led by Dr. Winkler include assessing
cultural factors in
AIDS transmission, examining orphan records and
support mechanisms, and basic AIDS education
programs. She has also supervised numerous Amizade
volunteers who have participated in these efforts
through volunteer and service-learning programs since
2003. "There is a stereotype that AIDS is a stable
problem," Dr. Winkler said. "But AIDS defies all
stereotypes - each region affected has variations and
associated problems that are culturally specific."
Read more about Amizade's work in Tanzania in a previous newsletter »
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Assist in the Global Fight Against AIDS - Donate to Amizade Today
The Tanzanian project that is dearest to Linda Winkler's
heart is one that she began in 2003 to support local
AIDS orphans, and one that Amizade is closely tied to.
According to Dr. Winkler, the Karagwe district has more
than 4,000 registered orphans, though many more are
unaccounted for. The local AIDS Control office has
limited funds to support them (only slightly over $8,000
in their budget in 2004). As a result, Dr. Winkler, along
with Amizade, has been seeking sponsors and
contributions to offer additional support. So far, more
than $3,000 has been collected, enabling 16 orphans to
receive food, housing, and school support through the
program.
One of the orphans is a little girl named Huruma, who
was abandoned in a field by an HIV+ mother when she
was eight weeks old. The tiny baby was brought to
Nyakahanga Hospital where she struggled to survive.
Her situation left a deep impression on Dr. Winkler and
several university students participating in an Amizade
service-learning program at the hospital in 2004. Dr.
Winkler eventually located a foster mother for the child,
and the Amizade students sponsored her for her first
year in foster care. Huruma (pictured above) is now
nearly two years old
and thriving. She is currently sponsored by Dr. Winkler
and a sorority at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Amizade is also engaged in construction of a new
orphanage in Tanzania which will provide care,
education and other services for those orphaned by
AIDS.
Huruma is just one example of the incredible power
volunteers and donors have in helping to reverse the
tragic consequences of AIDS. You too, can help
children just like Huruma by making a financial
contribution. Your donation allows Amizade to support
Dr. Winkler's on-going efforts in AIDS research,
education and community support. It also allows
Amizade to maintain partnerships in Tanzania, support
construction of the orphanage and medical facilities,
and continue organizing volunteer programs there. We
invite you to share in our joy and hope for this
community by making a donation today.
11 million children orphaned by AIDS in Africa »
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Volunteer in Tanzania in 2006
In addition to offering financial support, you can help
make a difference for children orphaned by AIDS in
Tanzania by volunteering with Amizade in 2006.
Amizade has organized a volunteer program in Tanzania
from May 31-June 20. Volunteers will work at the
Nyakahanga Hospital and also assist with construction
of an orphanage. The vision for this orphanage is to
provide a safe center where children can stay while
awaiting placement in foster care, as well as receive
education and training.
Amizade also partners with other community- based
organizations in Tanzania, including the Family Alliance
for Development & Cooperation (FADECO) which
focuses on economic sustainability and fair trade, and
the Women Emancipation & Development Agency
(WOMEDA) which is working to increase economic and
human rights through legal procedures and training
programs.
Volunteers in Tanzania will have the opportunity to
work with these organizations and also participate in a
once-in-a-lifetime wildlife safari in the Serengeti.
Read more about volunteering in Tanzania at our Web site »
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