If 100 people in America had HIV/AIDS, 15 would be between the ages of 13-24 years old.
This is just one of the facts presented by the project ‘If AIDS were 100 People,’ an event that is part of AIDS Awareness Week.
AIDS Awareness Week is being held from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5 with events organized and sponsored by Fairfield’s chapter of FACE AIDS and students currently taking the course ‘AIDS in the U.S.’
Felicia Lee ’10, president of Fairfield’s chapter of FACE AIDS, said the involved students hope to educate the Fairfield University community and inspire students to help fight AIDS.
‘Having FACE AIDS’ at’ Fairfield’ has’ been’ a’ very’ good’ experience,’ said Lee.
‘Our’ goal’ for this year and in general is to get more people on campus aware and involved with what FACE AIDS is doing and how we’re helping in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.’
After learning about topics such as AIDS activism in the U.S. as well as the history of the disease and risk behaviors, students taking the ‘AIDS in the U.S.’ course designed activities’ to hold during the week under the guidance of professor Renee White.
‘After’ completing’ the’ AIDS’ in’ the’ U.S.’ class,’ I’ felt’ really’ inspired not’ only’ to’ spread’ the’ word,’ but’ to’ also’ do’ something’ about’ it,’ said Elizabeth Otter ’09.
‘I’ thought’ if’ you’ are’ going’ to’ talk’ about’ it,’ you’ have’ to’ be’ about’ it.’
Events for the week include the selling of bracelets and pins, a screening of the film ‘A Closer Walk,’ which interviews those affected by the worldwide crisis, the distribution of pamphlets, stickers and information on AIDS.
‘The’ proceeds’ from’ our’ bracelet’ sale’ will’ go’ to’ Hispanos’ Unidos,’ specifically’ the’ summer’ camp’ they’ run for’ HIV/AIDS’ affected’ children,’ Camp’ Meechimuk,’ said Erika Bruno ’09.
‘Thecamp’ focuses’ on’ having’ fun’ and’ giving’ its’ children’ a’ normal’ and’ safe’ camp’ experience.’
FACE AIDS will be selling pins made by people in Zambia and Rwanda who are either living with or are some way affected by HIV/AIDS. According to Lee, all of the proceeds go to Partners in Health and are put to use for AIDS medication.
Another event being held for AIDS Awareness Week is a presentation by Fairfield graduate Marco Ambrosio ’07 on ‘Rwanda: From Genocide to Hope.” Ambrosio, who helped to start FACE AIDS at Fairfield, has traveled around the world to see the impact of the AIDS pandemic and how other countries have responded to the crisis.
‘It is my core belief that individuals whether by themselves or working in concert with others have the ability to greatly impact their communities,’ said Ambrosio. ‘What is required is action and striving for change because it is in this work toward justice that we find self-meaning.’
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