Please note that the information below was taken verbatim from fliers distributed in the schools, and permission to do so was granted by the organization.
Introduction:
- Aids is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. No part of the world has been affected more than Africa.
- Millions die each year. Every 15 seconds, AIDS claims another life.
- 2 out of 3 people living with HIV are in Africa.
- What can we do to stop it?
- Faith E. Church, 3145 Sweetwater Drive, Billings MT, 59102
- March 29-April 5
- Free to the public. Sponsored by: Bresnan, Big Sky Disaster Restoration Service, Meyerco Sprinkler Systems, and alphagraphics.
- NOTE: While this event is being held in the auditorium of a church, it is about raising awareness for the AIDS pandemic and nothing else. This is a nationwide tour that focuses on getting public schools to attend. World Vision understands that this is not the time or place to express religious views or opinions.
- The exhibit takes you on an unforgettable journey into Africa--and into the AIDS crisis.
- As guests walk through the interactive exhibit, they listen to the story of one of four real-life children. For a brief period of time, that child's story becomes their story.
- Visitors will hear stirring audio and see gripping photography that will transport them into the heart of Africa.
- Students can walk through the exhibit in a half hour. Reservations for the date and time must be made in advance by pressing this LINK.
- Keep in mind that there may be a line upon arrival (only 40 can be accommodated at a time), so it will be important to leave buffer time in case that there is a group of visitors before your reservation time.
- The summaries found on the above link will help you decide which, if any, of the four stories is appropriate for your child(ren).
- It is not recommended that any child under 10 listen to the audio portion of the exhibit.
- All stories were recommended for children age 13 0r older, but parental discretion is advised.
- Please note that death is a theme in all 4 stories.
- 300-400Students Volunteers needed. Use above link to register to also sign up.
- Participate in the 30 Hour Famine, a youth movement.
- Challenge your class to make a Caregiver Kit. These are sent oversees to people who have generously committed to caring for people suffering from AIDS. Kits are made up of basic supplies like washcloths, latex gloves, cotton balls, antibacterial soap, anti-fungal cream, petroleum jelly, anti-diarrhea medicine, and acetaminophen. Learn more at this link.
- How did you feel before you put your hand down to be stamped? How did you feel after, and why?
- To what extent had you previously seen/experienced poverty? How is what you saw in the exhibit similar/different?
- What is your definition of poverty? Did the Experience prompt you to change your thoughts and perceptions about global poverty? If so, why? What will you do to take action?
- What do you think it feels like to be a child affected by AIDS?
- Did the things you experienced in the exhibit make you think/reflect about your own life, and is so what things did you think about?
- What is something in your life that you have taken for granted until now?
- What are some things about your life that are different than the life you experienced in the exhibit?
- Did the Experience prompt you to change your thoughts and perceptions about global poverty? If so, why? What will you do to take action?
For extra credit in Ms. Fettig's class, you must:
- Attend the Experience, behave in a fitting manner, and bring me the voucher of attendance issued at the exhibit's conclusion.
- After reflecting on your experience, select one of the above discussion questions to write an essay on. Please start with a topic sentence, so we know which question you are addressing and use essay form. Publish your comment on this blog posting.
- Should you decide to "take action"--write a plan and discuss it for me. Extra, extra credit may be awarded.
11 comments:
Hi Ms. Fettig, i think this is how i post an essay..
Before I attended Step into Africa and had my hand stamped, I knew about the growing poverty and AIDS problem, but I got a more personal look into what it can do to a kid's life. I learned about about a boy named Kombo, who recieved AIDS from his mother from birth. Not only is he constantly sick but he is rejected by the community because he is infected by the "Big Disease", as they call it. when i left I definitely had a more personal feel rather than a statistical feel, which was nice.
Hi Ms. Fettig
When i went to the Step into Africa and sat in the clinic area waiting to find out if I, or my child from Africa, had AIDS it was uncomfertable. I wasnt expecting to get the visuals that the story gave me. I got to find out that the child's mother father and herself were infected with AIDS. Hearing her feelings about her father passing away from AIDS and her mother leaving her and her twin sister to fend for themselves was depressing and left me feeling useless. But getting the chance to have it explained by a child not much younger than me laft me with a grateful feeling that I have a chance to help.
Before i put my hand down to be stamped in the Step into Africa exhibit i had knew about the poverty in Africa and especially in Uganda. It was touching to hear about the youth in africa and what is happening every day to people with aids. When i was there i had listened to the story of a girl named Berbayrie and how her and her twin sister Nakota were trying to live on their own because their mom and their dad were diagnosed with HIV. The dad had died but the mom ends up recovering and helps as a caregiver in Uganda to help Aid infected people today. After i left, it really made me think about how much poverty really is in Africa. I had read that the life expectancy in Africa today is only 49 years old; and thats because Aids has killed so many people. Its amazing how many have died due to Aids and it only first appeared in Uganda 25 years ago. It was definately an exhibit worth going to.
Kayla Harrell P.4
How did I feel before and After my hand was stamped
After hearing kumbo's story and walking through his grandmothers shop I really started to connect with what he must feel. The night kumbo was sleeping next to his mother and was woken by his grandmother who told him he had to get out of the bed because his mother had died is when kumbo's life really started to go downhill. His friends didn't want to be around him because they feared the " big diesease." And when he walked up to that counter fearing the worst, anxiety building in his throat, he finally took a step forward and held out his hand.
I felt the same fear that kumbo felt and when my hand was stamped, i feared people would judge me because it's clear for all to see the stamp on my hand. Kumbo got the medication he needed and that gave me a feeling of hope that all those effected with aids can live near normal lives if they can recieve the help the need.
Ben Sukut
Before I had my hand stamped at the Step into Africa exhibit, I knew about the tragic and expanding AIDS epedemic in Africa. Being able to hear about and visually see how a child lives made me realize how fortunate I am for everying I have. My child came up negative for AIDS, but for some reason I didn't feel much better. My child still has to fear the chance of getting infective with AIDS and also watch the ones she loves suffer around her. This exhibit was great and I'm glad i went to it!
Kelsey Shammel P.5
To what extent have I previously seen poverty? Proverty is at a growing rate and it has come to my attention to how many kids in our city and other cities don't have homes to go. When i attended the step in to africa program i had no idea how much worse proverty is in other countries. Knowing that they already don't have money for food, its now to the point that they have thousands of people dying every day. Aids has struck Africa so hard they can't even defend themselves from it. Kids are being abused all the time because there parents left or died from aids, how do they expect to live with out food and most of all protection? In the exhibit proverty is in fact similar to ours but in the same instant way worese. we don't live with a serve aids crisis, and alot of people are able to get help. Most of the country of africa needs help, while they still have a chance.
Jourdan Lipp
History 5th
I think that living in Africa with AIDS would be very hard for a child. Most of the children would have to deal with more problems that most American adults. One thing I learned from the exhibit is that most children in Africa have lost one parent and are the main provider for their siblings. These children would assiduously be living in fear for the future. If they did not make it someone would have to take care of their younger siblings. These kids would also have to live with the stigma of living with AIDS. Fortunately, churches throughout the country are making supporting people with the disease while they fight its deadly affects. I think that being a child with AIDS would be one of the scariest situations someone could be in and a child should never have to deal with it problems.
Chris Selph Period 5
When I was in the third grade, i was lucky enough to travel to Malaysia to visit some family friends, where I experienced poverty wherever i looked. while I was pretty young, I can still remember looking around me at the people and wondered how they survived with what little they had. Malaysia was and still is not stricken with the HIV/AIDS infection that Africa has encountered. However, both countries are struggling to survive in a harsh, unforgiving world. This summer, i am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Uganda (the cities Kampala and Gulu) for a mission's trip. I know that I will come into personal contact with HIV/AIDS victims and am preparing myself to be devastated by what I see and experience. The World Vision exhibit has opened my eyes for what I will see.
Joetta Lorenz
Stepping into the exibit made me think and reflect on my own life in a different light. I saw how one affected with the "Big Disease" saw their lives changed in the blink of an eye and I also saw the living conditions. I compared this to my safe home here. Things are completly different and it seemed that it was almost impossible to completly feel their pain. I felt that I had been taking my health and life for granted so I began to reflect on that. It was a great exibit and a real eye opener.
Hello Ms. Fettig!!
Here is my reflection on the experience of 'Step Into Africa'.
The 'Step Into Africa' experience caused me to further reflect and think about my own life in many ways.
The exhibit was so genuine and I could truly put myself in the postion of my child, Mathabo, and the things she went through.
While walking through the story and listening to the intense background music and intriguing voice of the narrator, my emotions hit me in the face. I realized this story was true and how much I take for granted in my everyday life. One flip of the coin, and that could of been me, and my story. I could of been born into poverty with no father, a mother with AIDS, and a brother who beats me.
During Mathabo's experience, I had many emotions, teared up more than once, and felt a strong urge to do something. At the end of the exhibit, I made the decision, with my friend, Baylea O'Brien, to sponsor a child. We picked out a a boy from Ethiopia, named Birke. It's hard sometimes to come up with $35 dollars a month when you are an active teenager, which is why we decided to sponsor a child together. I feel that if every person or family sponsored just one child, there would be tremendous results.
This experience really hit home, and I also related it to my life because I am going on a missions trip to South Africa this summer, where I will mostly be working with children, and many of them are affected by HIV/AIDS.
'Step Into Africa' only deepened my excitement for this trip and all the possibilities I have to make a change, and even if it is only the life of one or few, I will have made a difference and helped a child, who, with the flip of a coin, could easily of been me....
Briana Morrison
Period 2
Hi Ms. Fettig
When i went to the step in Africa i waited and sat there for a time to find out if i had aids, or my child had aids. When i was sitting there i was frightened and though about the children and how they could do this at such a young age. My child Komba was constantly rejected by his friends becasue he had the big disease. I wondered how a child could go throw this. I was saddened and felt that they need to be helped. Also that i was greatful for the chance to be part of it.
josh Erger
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