HIV/AIDS

In my final semester of University I took a course called 'The World of Viruses'.  Our major assignment in this course was to choose a virus, write about it and then describe how it impacts the world.  My partner and I chose to study the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and our topic was 'The Prevention and Treatment Strategies of HIV/AIDS in Botswana'.

While researching this topic I discovered things that I had never known before.  Things that were affecting millions of people, that I had slowly become desensitized to.  When I read an excerpt from an address made by President Festus Mogae to the UN, things really hit home.

"We are threatened with extinction. People are dying in chillingly high numbers. It is a crisis of the first magnitude."

Since writing that essay I've taken an interest in learning about how HIV/AIDS have affected developing nations, particularly those in Africa.  I started by participating in the 'Dare to Remember' campaign run by the Stephen Lewis Foundation.  This campaign, raised money which went towards grass roots organizations run by Africans who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.  These grass roots organizations are run by grandmothers and orphans and other people, who see a solution to the problem but lack the funding.

In a few months I will be going to Tanzania and thought I would show some statistics to show what an impact this virus can have. 

HIV/AIDS in Tanzania:

Population, 2008                                  43,700,000

People living with HIV/AIDS, 2007             1,400,000

Women (15+) with HIV/AIDS, 2007          60,000

Adult HIV prevalence (%), 2007               6.2

AIDS deaths, 2007                                96,000

Now compare these numbers with Canada's stats:

Population, 2008                                  33,700,000

People living with HIV/AIDS, 2007            73,000

Women (15+) with HIV/AIDS, 2007          20,000

Adult HIV prevalence (%), 2007               0.4

AIDS deaths, 2007                                <500

Scary, isn't it? 

While the statistics are frightening, there are countless organizations out there that are trying to change things!  Organizations that teach sexual education, providing condoms, reducing HIV associated stigma and/or defending women's rights.

I'm not suggesting that you donate large amounts of money to these organizations (unless you can and want to), I merely want to give perspective.  To help you see that while there is a huge problem, there are great people all over the world doing what they can to fix it.  If you don't have the money, then try volunteering with a group/organization whose goals you agree with.  

I'll wrap up this post with a quote from the book 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa written by Stephanie Nolan.

"The problem with HIV is that its transmission, in blood and sexual fluids and breast milk, preys on our most intimate moments."