Art AIDS Africa.Fighting an epidemic with consumer dollars AIDS is the leading cause of death in Africa, with statistics showing that roughly 6,000 Africans die each day from this disease. When Dr. Shirley A. Harris went to visit her sister Folami Harris in Johannesburg, South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. , in April 2000, she was disturbed and unnerved by her sibling's account of the pervasiveness of the AIDS virus AIDS virus n. See HIV. and the country's lack of resources and inability to educate the population about its prevention. Simple measures, such as the use of condoms, were not even considered. "Seventy percent of the world's AIDS cases are in Africa. I didn't realize the impact of AIDS until I went there myself," says Harris, a gastroenterologist Gastroenterologist A physician who specializes in diseases of the digestive system. Mentioned in: Rectal Examination gastroenterologist a physician specializing in gastroenterology. with DeKalb Gastroenterology gastroenterology Medical specialty dealing with digestion and the digestive system. In the 17th century Jan Baptista van Helmont conducted the first scientific studies in the field; William Beaumont published his own observations in 1833. Associates in Atlanta. Harris, her sister, and several other professionals immediately set out to make a difference. At the same time, they've created a way to empower the average consumer to also get involved in the fight against AIDS. On June 1, 2000, Harris, her sister, and another concerned friend, Annemarie Eades, founded Art AIDS Africa, a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that uses the money from art sales to support organizations fighting HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome on the African continent. The other volunteer board members include Dawn Warner, Dr. Janet Kendrick Dr. Lisa Bobbins, Sharolyn Grant, Deborah Bradford, and Patrice Hickman. "This is hard work and a bit of a challenge, since all of us board members are full-time professionals," admits Harris. "None of us have ever been involved in retail or international work." Art AIDS Africa buys traditional art from artisans and craft cooperatives in the poorest sections of Africa and brings it back to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. for sale. Every time consumers purchase a piece of artwork, their dollars are used to benefit AIDS victims. All profits and donations are sent directly to individual groups and organizations that sponsor HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. Because art is bought specifically from cooperatives, Art AIDS Africa is also creating financial opportunities for local artists. "We are assisting them with employment," explains Harris. "We would also like to help create new cooperatives." Art ranges in price from $5 to $700 and is sold on the Website (www.artaid safrica.org), at private shows, and at arts festivals. Since its inception, Art AIDS Africa has raised more than $20,000 in sales and donations, including $12,000 in unrestricted grants from the founders and pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, TAP, Novartis, and Astra-Zeneca. The first grant was sent to Diepsloots, near Johannesburg, which is the poorest town with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases, to build a $10,000 AIDS prevention center called Vuselela Ulwazil Wakho Drop-in Center. In addition, the organization has donated food, clothing, toiletries toi·let·ry n. pl. toi·let·ries An article, such as toothpaste or a hairbrush, used in personal grooming or dressing. toiletries npl → artículos mpl de aseo (= , medicine, and medical supplies to an orphanage in Johannesburg and hospital clinic in Zambia. Art AIDS Africa is also constantly looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. volunteers. Those interested in helping to stop this deadly disease should contact it via the Website. African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. organizations focusing on AIDS Contact these groups to find out how you can help in the fight against this deadly disease. * Art AIDS Africa www.artaidsafrica.org * PanAfrica Conference The eighth conference (October 25-27 in Memphis) will focus on the fight against AIDS, www.PanAfricaConference.com * Balm In Gilead www.balmingilead.org * Africare www.Africare.org * African American Institute on AIDS www.blackaids.org |
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