HIV in Africa
A lot has been written about the topic of "HIV in Africa." Indeed, a quick search on Google returns millions of entries (60,300,000 to be exact!). We must warn you however that much of what you will read is mostly dismal, disheartening, and truly frightening; but also mostly very true and very real, for millions of our brothers and sisters.
So why not skip the details and focus on the considerable opportunities before us to address HIV in Africa?
1. Never again will so many people (25,000,000) need essential medicines, but not have ready access them. Despite WHOs best efforts, 24,000,000 Africans are yet to receive anti-retroviral drugs which have been available for more than 20 years! Speak up, this is true.
2. Never again will an entire continent bring up a generation of orphans, estimates which run at 12,000,000. These young children need and deserve our support and love. Support an orphan, or two.
3. Mother to child transmission of HIV can be prevented with 3 pills of Nevirapine, given around birth time. Yes only 3 pills to prevent another case of HIV in Africa. Speak up, this is true.
4. 20 years into the epidemic and the topic of HIV is still taboo in Africa! We are all ashamed, shamed, and shame others, or maybe just uncomfortable. This is the main reason Team Afrika walks. We walk to get comfortable, so comfortable that others become comfortable talking about HIV. Keep walking, and talking about HIV in Africa - it saves lives.
5. HIV programs desperately need our financial support to maintain treatment and prevention programs in America, because of reduced government funding. Your contribution goes a long way to keep our message and our people alive! Please make your donation, Today!
Seize just one opportunity and run with it, or maybe just walk with Team Afrika!
Still need more info? Two highly recommended websites:
www.avert.org (great for global HIV numbers and general overview of the epidemic)
www.hivmedicine.com (excellent and free online textbook on current HIV treatment)
Let's make it happen! Keep Walking! Aluta Continua