Sat. - bvt . = ‘$23 333 Shelfne Eioad, Islxzrngmn , VT, 0540: “ferry Light Sales & Leasing Consultant izerrytfgibuIiingtonraracom 1.800.833.5943 802.660.8999 x107 999.7351 jut =2‘: kserving Chittenden County and Surrounding Areal KITCHENS 0 BATHS o REMODELING Additions, Disability'Modificatio_ns 802-310-7579 Today’s Technology, Yesterday’s Craftmanship www.aprilshomeimprovement.com aprilshomerepair@aol.com 0-¢°¢*¢'¢-0-0 BOB GREEN, LCMHC LICENSED CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT (802) 658-2390 (800) 830-5025 INDIVIDUALS 8: COUPLES MAGELIAN, vmrz MEDICAID 8: MANY OTHER msumncr. mzocmxms Accsprao African; AIDS: Hope and Help Defeat Despair I BY Gus NASMl'I'H nder the threat of a’ future avian flu pandem- ic, might our “leaders” finally get it that we all breathe the same air, that planetary sick- nesses affect us all? Or will combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic — a reality, not a hypothetical, for more than twenty years — be further side- lined? Post-9/ 1 1-, those. who haven’t blinked — UNAIDS; the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; UN Agencies; non-govemmental organizations; and courageously . those at the grassroots — struggle on valiantly. In the poverty-stricken devel- oping world, stigma, fear and denial fuel the pandemic’s expanding swath: 40 MILLION infected, well more than 3 mil- lion deaths last year, 15 million ' children “AIDS orphans.” -Twenty-six MILLION of -those with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2003 I joined 900 others at the _ International Conference of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kampala, . Uganda. Inspirational _HIV+ women courageously stand up to fight to live and to save their children. When weknow death and share grief, we share a most profound experience of living and capacity to share. Why is this more apparent among the poor and suffering than the rich and powerful? Grassroots activism and international support prod governments and bring hope. Returning to Kampala at the beginning of 2005, I reunited with Milly, Lydia, Irene, Sam, David and Dorothy and their chil- dren and other dear Ugandans. What a joy to bring them together with my friends, newly resident in Kampala, Charles Steinberg (MD) and Torkin.Wakef1eld, founders and leaders from 1987_ of the empowering American experience, “AIDS, Medicine & Miracles.” AM&M opened so many doors to my own living with AIDS. Treasured by the African nurses and doctors he trains, “Dr. Charles’s” respectful loving connection with his patients and staff is a key compo- nent of his effective HIV care. Some months before my visit, Torkin had found a desolate shan- ty—town of Acholi refugees from Uganda’s war-tom north in a sun- baked rock quarry on the outskirts of Kampala. For a pittance, the Acholi, mainly women, pounded rocks‘ by hand in incredible heat, their adjacent homes mere shacks without water or electricity. Torkin’s serendipitous encounter with a woman making beautiful beads from discarded magazines spearheaded “Beadforlife.” Now 160 beaders support their farm- lies, more than tripling their incomes from the quarry. Visit www.beadforlife.com for an enriching exposure to‘ the princi- ples, organization, and the beauty of the people as incandescent as their beads. The energy, spirit and family dedication of Ugandan -I- Gus Nasmlth 'with'D‘a'nle' and “dear girls" at the Kayole 14-year-old orphan brought in Daniel, his listless 10-year-old brother (who looked 5). Daniel ’ was -ill with tuberculosis and found to be HIV infected. In Kenya, those needing help are helping others: Christine, the Kayole program coordinator, mother of two and HIV+ herself, took in Daniel. Through her nur- turing and the medical care she could access, Daniel greatly improved, going from 33 to 48 pounds in a couple months. The boy who hardly spoke his name now insists upon attending his new school, even when he would be allowed to rest at home. Another HIV+ Vermonter and I sponsor Danie1’s schooling and non-medical needs for about $40 a month. ' WOFAK proudly had me meet 19-year-old Linzy. Her father died of AIDS some years WOFAK Center in February 2005. women have been linked to North Americans who believe in creat- ing “a world that works for all.” ' Read how in addition to fair wages, Beadforlife profits provide scholarships, training programs and other community develop- ment projects for a sustainable future. From Uganda I traveled to neighboring Kenya. The populous poor Kayole district far from I Nairobi’s center bustles as a city of its own. The modest Kayole outreach center of Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (www.wofak.or.ke ) is a vital life- line to those in most need. Vivid memories of my three days with WOFAK include the packed com- munity support group, energizing even those almost too ill to sit; the children quietly assembling for the lunch of porridge and veg- etable, their one meal of the day; the kindness and cooperation of the medical doctor and the tradi- tional healer, whose small offices were side by side; the visits to neighborhood apprentice trade programs for grateful older orphans; the respectful classes taught by young HIV+ teachers in an orphanage where the children tookcare of the building and each other; the home care visits to ill women whose ten—square-foot family living space lacked water, electricity or toilet facilities. One morning an exhausted ago. Since then she has been a key help to her mother (living with AIDS) as they take a variety of menial jobs to provide food for 8 children and rent for their one-room home. With WOFAK’s help, and against all odds, Linzy finished secondary school and gained university admission. My family and friends have joined to enable her to enroll for a commu- nity development degree at Kenyatta University. The fees, board and other living costs total less than $1,000 per year. Caused by a virus, AHDS wreaks a devastation that reflects the failures of governments, human institutions, prejudices and fears that damage us all. We must continue to try to correct the killing injustices, however daunt- ing the history and the tasks seem. . We can take specific personal actions that enrich our own experi- ence. What awful realities the friends in Africa face. Even so, they radiate in their hopes for life. “Where we are broken is where the light comes shining through.” V , For information on how to assist - WOFAK programs or individual sponsorships contact Gus at gna- smith@sover.net. Augustus “Gus” Nasmith, Jr. . represented several organizations at the XV International AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, July 2004. He lives in Rutland.