Tag: Africa Rising

From Knowledge to Action

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  • There are 33.2 million HIV-infected people in the world
  • There are approximately 14,000 new HIV infections daily around the world, and over 90% of these are from developing countries (USC Medical Dept.)

As I have stated in previous blog posts, HIV/AIDS is a worldwide pandemic that needs to controlled. Thousands of people are dying daily due to this terrible disease, and the end does not seem to be in sight. The United States, being one of the most powerful and advanced societies in the world, needs to take action against HIV/AIDS.

Throughout this semester, I have done much research on HIV/AIDS and really immersed myself in organizations and philanthropies such as Africa Rising, which is focused on providing medical aid to Africa and spreading the word on what can be done to help on a local level. Through my immersion it has come to my attention how little people know about the seriousness and extent of this disease, and what they can do to help. This lack of knowledge caught my attention, and I decided to randomly ask five Furman Students two questions the first one being;

1.   What is Pepfar? (the US President’s emergency plan for AIDS relief)

2.   Have scientists and doctors developed a cure/vaccine for HIV/AIDS?

Sadly, not one person knew or had even heard of Pepfar, BUT every person knew that scientists and doctors had not developed a vaccine for HIV/AIDS. It is overwhelmingly evident that people get too caught up in their own lives to think about what is going on in other countries and even in the United States.

Africa Rising President, Caitlyn Griffith in Africa
Africa Rising President, Caitlyn Griffith in Africa

For more information click to hear an interview with Africa Rising President, Caitlyn Griffith:

Caitlyn Griffith Interview

Reconcile and Re-build

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Dictionary.com defines reconciliation as 1. “An act of reconciling or the state of being reconciled, and 2. “The process of making consistent or compatible.”

reconciliation

As stated in my previous post, this week Furman’s own organization, Africa Rising, has sponsored “Reconciliation Week.” Throughout the week Africa Rising has sponsored different activities such as showing the movie Hotel Rwanda, bringing in guest speakers, and setting up booths designed to show Furman students what reconciliation looks like in African countries, the United States and in their own lives.  I interviewed a handful of students and asked them what reconciliation means to them, and how small philanthropy groups and organizations such as Africa Rising influence and impact larger organizations and help create a more connected and global world. Below are some of the most interesting responses:

“Reconciliation is very important to me and small groups such as Africa Rising can work together with other small groups who have similar passions with hope for rebuilding torn countries at a faster pace.” –Libby Wallin

“Reconciliation is essential because without compromise nothing in the world would get accomplished. We would not come to any conclusions, because everyone would be fighting for their own agendas. For the betterment of mankind we need reconciliation, and Africa Rising has done a great job here on campus showing the student body how differences can be reconciled throughout the world and in our own lives.” –Jake Ogle

Small groups and organizations such as Africa Rising do many great things in order to benefit the world at large. Reconciliation among countries is just one step in creating a more connected and global world in terms of poverty, diseases such as HIV/Aids, and starvation.

Interview with Africa Rising President, Caitlyn Griffith

Pictures From Reconciliation Week

Africa is Rising

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When most people think of philanthropies they imagine the Gates Foundation and other well-known philanthropic organizations. What many do not know is that philanthropies at the local level carry just as much importance and provide helpful aid and assistance. Here at Furman University, we have the organization Africa Rising. Africa Rising, which started in the Fall of 2006 seeks to raise awareness surrounding the history, culture, current issues and current events going on in Africa. Every year Africa Rising works on different projects which promote an understanding of the issues surrounding African countries to the Furman campus and greater Greenville area through projects such as:

Specific events have included, the concert, “Band aid for Africa” and the massive undertaking, “Cargo of Dreams” where last year, Furman students converted a cargo container into a fully functioning school in South Africa complete with a bathroom, kitchen, and two classrooms. After its completion Furman students on the South African study abroad trip had the opportunity to see the classroom in action and fully active, which made all of their hard work more worthwhile, due to seeing its benefits. Currently they are working on Reconciliation Week which will be taking place March 15-19 and will be the focus of my next post. During Reconciliation Week there will be a fence set up with interactive groups showing what reconciliation looks like in African countries, and also what it looks like in the US and in your own life.  Small steps such as these on a local level will lead to a more connected and global world.

blog collage Laura