SLF home > july 2007 grassroots > youth making a difference

youth making a difference

In 2006, Canadians raised an amazing $3.1 million by holding community events to help ease the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Some of the most creative ideas have come from young people, whose commitment to raising awareness and funds is quite remarkable:

After reading an issue of Grassroots, 11-year-old Rebecca Davison-Mora wrote: “All my friends talk about all the presents they’re getting and how they need iPods and cell phones when there are people who need clean water, food and to go to school. Now I know more about AIDS and that kids my age are taking care of their brothers and sisters when they should be going to school… so even though $50 is not much I hope it makes a difference in Africa.”

Six-year-old Breanna Pett wrote: “I have lots of toys and books so instead of presents for me I asked the people who came to my birthday to bring some money for you. Please use it to help people in Africa. I want people in the world to have the things they need. Love from Breanna.” Breanna has also decided to donate one week’s allowance each month!

Students in the Youth Volunteer Corps at Winston Churchill High School in Calgary, Alberta are making a difference by creating and selling greeting cards to help address HIV/AIDS in Africa. ‘Cards for the Cure’ has since spread to other junior and senior high schools in the city and recently earned the school YMCA Calgary’s Medal of Peace.

In early 2007, students from Lockview High School in Fall River, N.S. competed with students at Charles P. Allen High School to see who could raise more funds for AIDS in Africa in a two week period! Both schools did amazingly well: Lockview raised $1,400 and Charles P. Allen raised $2,500, with the proceeds going to SLF.

Students at Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Vaughan, ON participated in a Wake-A-Thon, their first annual fundraiser to raise money and awareness about HIV/AIDS in Africa. From 7:00pm to 7:00am, 116 students and 12 staff played sports, games and activities without sleeping – and raised $12,000 for AIDS in Africa through SLF!

Students at Thom Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan held a pennyrolling drive and benefit concert with performances that included heavy metal, break dancing, improv and comedy. Their initiatives raised over $1,400 for grandmothers and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

With the help of his friends and neighbours, Elijah Rosen of British Columbia collected “change for a week to make a change in the lives of others.” Together, they raised nearly $300.

We have many materials available for community event organizers, including: films, public service announcements (PSAs), photos, flyers, newsletters, downloadable posters and more!
Contact community@stephenlewisfoundation.org.

we're reading…

28 Stories of AIDS in Africa
by Stephanie Nolen
ISBN: 978-0-676-97822-3

Stephanie Nolen’s powerful new book tells the stories of 28 people living with HIV and AIDS – one for each million people living with the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Ida Mukuka – one of SLF’s African field representatives – is profiled, as are several others affiliated with SLF-supported projects, including: Swaziland Positive Living (SWAPOL), Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Mama’s Club, and more.

Don’t miss what Stephen Lewis has called "the best book ever written about AIDS, certainly the best I’ve ever read."

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Our July 2007 Grassroots newsletter is available as a pdf download (600K).

Grassroots newsletter archive:
december 2006 : 2.1MB
july 2005: 2.9MB
june 2004: 692K