FREE south africa of AIDS
I haven't spoken much about my journey to Africa. I haven't shared the photos or the movie. Inside I feel sad. I want to help more. It is impossible for me to turn my back on these people. What most people don't know is that the problem is much deeper then AIDS/HIV. It comes down to the un-education of millions of people who live there life in a world that to us does not exist. A world that if sick or ill you go to the villages healer or witch craft Doctor. A world where you do not trust outsiders. A world where AIDS/HIV is a curse.
Women pass along H.I.V. the virus that causes AIDS to newborns at birth 25-30% of the time.
ALL we have asked mothers to do is take a single pill of an antiretroviral called NEVIRAPINE when they begin labor.
Still, 70,000 babies a year are born with H.I.V.
NEVIRAPINE is being supplied to South Africa and is FREE to the people.
(If you don't know anything about Nevirapine, research it. It is a tiny blue pill. Like taking a gel cap advil.)
Just by statistics alone something isn't working.
The Men in South Africa don't use condoms, and are unfaithful to there wives.
If a married woman were to ask her husband to wear a condom, he would think she is un-trusting and would beat her.
Recently when I was in South Africa I was working with children that have AIDS. But after reading articles and doing research since I've returned I've realized that we need to help the women and men. "They are still in denial." They would rather die and infect there children then find out they are HIV positive and share that with there family.
Last year 300,000 new South Africans were infected with H.I.V. about 60% of women test positive.
"AIDS is a disease of taboos. For its sufferers, psychological comfort, like that provided by traditional healers, is paramount- sometimes even more important than staying alive."
I am trying to put together a new plan. I hope to return to South African soon.
HELP
Women pass along H.I.V. the virus that causes AIDS to newborns at birth 25-30% of the time.
ALL we have asked mothers to do is take a single pill of an antiretroviral called NEVIRAPINE when they begin labor.
Still, 70,000 babies a year are born with H.I.V.
NEVIRAPINE is being supplied to South Africa and is FREE to the people.
(If you don't know anything about Nevirapine, research it. It is a tiny blue pill. Like taking a gel cap advil.)
Just by statistics alone something isn't working.
The Men in South Africa don't use condoms, and are unfaithful to there wives.
If a married woman were to ask her husband to wear a condom, he would think she is un-trusting and would beat her.
Recently when I was in South Africa I was working with children that have AIDS. But after reading articles and doing research since I've returned I've realized that we need to help the women and men. "They are still in denial." They would rather die and infect there children then find out they are HIV positive and share that with there family.
Last year 300,000 new South Africans were infected with H.I.V. about 60% of women test positive.
"AIDS is a disease of taboos. For its sufferers, psychological comfort, like that provided by traditional healers, is paramount- sometimes even more important than staying alive."
I am trying to put together a new plan. I hope to return to South African soon.
HELP