Kibera. Most of us have never heard of this place, the biggest slum in Africa and home to an estimated quarter million people crammed into a space the size of Central Park in NYC. Poverty and violence run rampant alongside a perpetual hope for better things.
From the economy to the history, our blog entries will cover all manner of topics and problems found in Kibera and, hopefully, will help to spread the word about the slum and maybe attract some more help to a place that desperately needs it. And if you, our Potsdam peers, were curious or confused about some of the issues Barcott mentions in It Happened On the Way to War, our blog might clear things up for you.
Please choose an essay to read from the list at the right.
Enjoy and comment.
Dr. Jennifer Mitchell and COMP101 participants
SUNY Potsdam
Dept. of English and Communication
Friday, September 23, 2011
Ambrosia Batten: AIDS on the Rise
AIDS On The Rise by Ambrosia Batten
In the Memoir “It Happened on the Way to War”, Barcott talks about leading a double life as a marine and a co-founder of an non-profit organization called Carolina for Kibera. Most of his journey takes place in one of Africa's largest Slums in Kenya called Kibera. At the time of him just beginning his foundation, he was graduating from college and starting in the Marines. During his journey, he often wondered what kind of impact he would have on their community and whether it be a positive impact or a standstill. His foundation raises money to give it to the community leaders of the slum so they can fulfill the needs of the kids and the townspeople of the slum and help the kids become future community leaders. One of the projects that he helped start was a free clinic in Africa along with a friend named Tabitha. The clinic is open to all of those who are sick with illnesses like HIV/AIDS and in need of help. “Tabitha Clinic offers healthcare to all residents on a sliding-fee scale. Over 40,000 patients visit this remarkable clinic in the heart of Kibera every year” (Carolina For Kibera). One of the major health problems in Africa is HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has hit our world by storm. What is HIV/AIDS you may ask? HIV, also known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks your immune system that is supposed to help prevent you from getting sick. HIV then turns into AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, only when the number of CD4 cells in your body drops below a certain amount. People become infected with HIV through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluids. HIV can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth or through breast-feeding. For some people it takes a long time for AIDS to develop, for others it takes less time (Kaletra). Africa includes many countries that suffer from the outbreak of this disease, and it has the highest rate of people infected in the world. “Two-thirds of all people infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, although this region contains little more than 10% of the world’s population” (Avert). Along with that, “During 2009 alone, an estimated 1.3 million adults and children died as a result of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the beginning of the epidemic more than 15 million Africans have died from AIDS” (Avert). The lack of basic needs to prevent the spread of infection contributes to the high numbers of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In the memoir “It Happened on the Way to War” by Rye Barcott, Barcott illustrates to his readers the lack of resources in Africa to support its cities. The people of Africa go through many hardships and need resources that we in the United States often take for granted. Therefore, Barcott created a foundation to help start one of the many slums in Africa get the help they need to lead a better life. The question that Barcott and many of us have asked is “How can I make a difference in fighting HIV/AIDS?”
The spread of the disease has led to increasingly higher rates of people infected in Africa than anywhere else. The reason for this spreading of the disease is because many Africans who are infected can't afford to purchase the medicine needed to keep them healthy and condoms to stop the spread of it. Another contributing factor of the spread of HIV is their lack of birth control, because of this many children are born with the disease.
There are many different types of medication that can help a person who is has HIV to live longer, although the medications can have bad side effects such as nausea, headaches, loss of weight, etc. Drugs like Kaletra, Atripla oral, Epzicom oral, and Crixivan along with many others are the drugs that helps with the virus and treating it (WebMD). Though the side effects of these drugs may seem extreme, it still is better than the opposite outcome which is death. Dying with HIV can be prevented if the person is able to get the proper medication and maybe even jobs so they could actually afford the medication.
Why doesn't Africa's governments do enough to help prevent the massive spread of HIV in their countries? There are many reasons for the government not aiding their own country but the one that it all leads down to is the fact that they have such a corrupt government. It all has to do with who's in power and the amount of money that they would receive just to do the right thing. In the book, Barcott said that many of the political leaders who would claim they would help rebuild the city and clean up the streets were seen as corrupt and unwilling to help without a certain fee. So Barcott took it upon himself, along with the help of the donations given by many people in the States and the local community leaders of Kibera, to start a chain reaction that is helping make the people of Kibera’s lives a lot better to live.
There are other non-profit organizations like Carolina For Kibera that help against the war against AIDS. Some are well known because they are publicized by popular idols like Alicia Keys with her Keep a Child Alive foundation. “That is why Keep A Child Alive buys more than just the pills needed to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. It buys the essential nutrition, shelter, support and education to help ensure those pills are taken properly and effectively. It buys the things we all take for granted, but that make all the difference. A bed. A roof. A ride. A book. A smile” (Blake). Another organization that I found to be very informative about the disease and its cause was the AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation),which creates activities and fund-raising to help spread the word of having safe sex and taking care of yourself if you have the virus. Carolina for Kibera uses sports like soccer to help create a healthy ethnic diversity and to stop the ethnic violence within the community. “5,280 boys and girls participate in CFK’s annual soccer tournament. Ethnic diversity is a requirement” (Carolina for Kibera). The foundation teaches many of the citizens how to be more socially and economically responsible and “CFK offers training in financial literacy, business skills and entrepreneurship for residents of Kibera” (Carolina for Kibera).
I believe that foundations like CFK and Keep A Child Alive are great organizations in that they don't just help people with HIV/AIDS get the proper care they need, but they also help the community live better and create more opportunities. Some may say “How can I make a difference?”, but all it takes is a small donation to one of the organizations that are helping with the epidemic and with that donation alone it can save millions of lives.
Bibliography
AIDS Healthcare Foundation. (2011). http://www.aidshealth.org/public-health/prevention-for-hiv-individuals/. Web. 9/17/11
Avert. “The Impact of HIV&AIDS in Africa”. (2011). http://www.avert.org/aids-impact-africa.htm. Web. 9/17/11
Barcott, Rye. “It Happened on the Way to War”. Bloomsbury USA, New York. 9/13/11
Blake, Leigh.“Keep A Child Alive”.(2011). http://keepachildalive.org/our-work/?gclid=CKX_p43LkKsCFSUEQAodyEgstw. Web. 9/18/11
Carolina For Kibera.“What We Do”. Center for Global Initiatives. (2001). http://cfk.unc.edu/. Web. 9/13/11
Kaletra.“What Is HIV”. http://www.kaletra.com/what-is-hiv/default.aspx?s_mcid=google. Web.
WebMD. “Expanding HIV and AIDS Drug Options”. (2011).
http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/aids-hiv-medication. Web. 9/21/11
In the Memoir “It Happened on the Way to War”, Barcott talks about leading a double life as a marine and a co-founder of an non-profit organization called Carolina for Kibera. Most of his journey takes place in one of Africa's largest Slums in Kenya called Kibera. At the time of him just beginning his foundation, he was graduating from college and starting in the Marines. During his journey, he often wondered what kind of impact he would have on their community and whether it be a positive impact or a standstill. His foundation raises money to give it to the community leaders of the slum so they can fulfill the needs of the kids and the townspeople of the slum and help the kids become future community leaders. One of the projects that he helped start was a free clinic in Africa along with a friend named Tabitha. The clinic is open to all of those who are sick with illnesses like HIV/AIDS and in need of help. “Tabitha Clinic offers healthcare to all residents on a sliding-fee scale. Over 40,000 patients visit this remarkable clinic in the heart of Kibera every year” (Carolina For Kibera). One of the major health problems in Africa is HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that has hit our world by storm. What is HIV/AIDS you may ask? HIV, also known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks your immune system that is supposed to help prevent you from getting sick. HIV then turns into AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, only when the number of CD4 cells in your body drops below a certain amount. People become infected with HIV through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluids. HIV can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth or through breast-feeding. For some people it takes a long time for AIDS to develop, for others it takes less time (Kaletra). Africa includes many countries that suffer from the outbreak of this disease, and it has the highest rate of people infected in the world. “Two-thirds of all people infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, although this region contains little more than 10% of the world’s population” (Avert). Along with that, “During 2009 alone, an estimated 1.3 million adults and children died as a result of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the beginning of the epidemic more than 15 million Africans have died from AIDS” (Avert). The lack of basic needs to prevent the spread of infection contributes to the high numbers of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In the memoir “It Happened on the Way to War” by Rye Barcott, Barcott illustrates to his readers the lack of resources in Africa to support its cities. The people of Africa go through many hardships and need resources that we in the United States often take for granted. Therefore, Barcott created a foundation to help start one of the many slums in Africa get the help they need to lead a better life. The question that Barcott and many of us have asked is “How can I make a difference in fighting HIV/AIDS?”
The spread of the disease has led to increasingly higher rates of people infected in Africa than anywhere else. The reason for this spreading of the disease is because many Africans who are infected can't afford to purchase the medicine needed to keep them healthy and condoms to stop the spread of it. Another contributing factor of the spread of HIV is their lack of birth control, because of this many children are born with the disease.
There are many different types of medication that can help a person who is has HIV to live longer, although the medications can have bad side effects such as nausea, headaches, loss of weight, etc. Drugs like Kaletra, Atripla oral, Epzicom oral, and Crixivan along with many others are the drugs that helps with the virus and treating it (WebMD). Though the side effects of these drugs may seem extreme, it still is better than the opposite outcome which is death. Dying with HIV can be prevented if the person is able to get the proper medication and maybe even jobs so they could actually afford the medication.
Why doesn't Africa's governments do enough to help prevent the massive spread of HIV in their countries? There are many reasons for the government not aiding their own country but the one that it all leads down to is the fact that they have such a corrupt government. It all has to do with who's in power and the amount of money that they would receive just to do the right thing. In the book, Barcott said that many of the political leaders who would claim they would help rebuild the city and clean up the streets were seen as corrupt and unwilling to help without a certain fee. So Barcott took it upon himself, along with the help of the donations given by many people in the States and the local community leaders of Kibera, to start a chain reaction that is helping make the people of Kibera’s lives a lot better to live.
There are other non-profit organizations like Carolina For Kibera that help against the war against AIDS. Some are well known because they are publicized by popular idols like Alicia Keys with her Keep a Child Alive foundation. “That is why Keep A Child Alive buys more than just the pills needed to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. It buys the essential nutrition, shelter, support and education to help ensure those pills are taken properly and effectively. It buys the things we all take for granted, but that make all the difference. A bed. A roof. A ride. A book. A smile” (Blake). Another organization that I found to be very informative about the disease and its cause was the AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation),which creates activities and fund-raising to help spread the word of having safe sex and taking care of yourself if you have the virus. Carolina for Kibera uses sports like soccer to help create a healthy ethnic diversity and to stop the ethnic violence within the community. “5,280 boys and girls participate in CFK’s annual soccer tournament. Ethnic diversity is a requirement” (Carolina for Kibera). The foundation teaches many of the citizens how to be more socially and economically responsible and “CFK offers training in financial literacy, business skills and entrepreneurship for residents of Kibera” (Carolina for Kibera).
I believe that foundations like CFK and Keep A Child Alive are great organizations in that they don't just help people with HIV/AIDS get the proper care they need, but they also help the community live better and create more opportunities. Some may say “How can I make a difference?”, but all it takes is a small donation to one of the organizations that are helping with the epidemic and with that donation alone it can save millions of lives.
Bibliography
AIDS Healthcare Foundation. (2011). http://www.aidshealth.org/public-health/prevention-for-hiv-individuals/. Web. 9/17/11
Avert. “The Impact of HIV&AIDS in Africa”. (2011). http://www.avert.org/aids-impact-africa.htm. Web. 9/17/11
Barcott, Rye. “It Happened on the Way to War”. Bloomsbury USA, New York. 9/13/11
Blake, Leigh.“Keep A Child Alive”.(2011). http://keepachildalive.org/our-work/?gclid=CKX_p43LkKsCFSUEQAodyEgstw. Web. 9/18/11
Carolina For Kibera.“What We Do”. Center for Global Initiatives. (2001). http://cfk.unc.edu/. Web. 9/13/11
Kaletra.“What Is HIV”. http://www.kaletra.com/what-is-hiv/default.aspx?s_mcid=google. Web.
WebMD. “Expanding HIV and AIDS Drug Options”. (2011).
http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/aids-hiv-medication. Web. 9/21/11
David Monsor: $7 can Save a Life
$7 can Save a Life By David Mansor
Around the world there many preventable deaths yearly due to accidents,
lack of medical treatment or vaccines, lack of following safety protocols
and poverty. Kibera deals mainly with the issue of poverty. Imagine the
population of San Francisco, California squeezed into a square mile
[Smith, Gibson]; minus the Fire Department, Police, Electricity and a
dozen other public services; being the largest slum in Nirobi, Africa.
Being in such a deprived state people die every day from starvation, and
simple sickness. What organizations are around to prevent these deaths and
how are they helping?
Many of these deaths could have been prevented by the mere sum of “$7”, as
Baba Chris’s life was saved for $7 in the memoir It Happened on the Way to
War by Rye Barcott. Baba Chris, a leader in the community and a working
man, almost died from malaria because he could not afford the medicine
(Barcott 53). The most heart wrenching aspects of the conditions in Kibera
is that children are dying. As Barcott said in a recent article published
on Newsobserver.com:
There are 8 million child deaths, each year in Africa. (Barcott) Many
could have been prevented. Other common illnesses are HIV/AIDS, malaria,
African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”), tuberculosis, measles and
yellow fever. Due to Kibera being a slum I cannot find any censuses data
and many other forms of statistics, but an estimation can be made using
the national numbers (which themselves are probably underestimated)
compared to the size of Kibera’s population. 50,000 residents are infected
with HIV/AIDS, [HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet] making it a very real issue
for everyone in Kibera.
Doctors without Borders (DWB), is one organization that really tries to
tackle the health concerns in Kenya, with over 400 field staff working in
Mathare, Kibera, Busia and Homa Bay. Throughout the country HIV/AIDS and
tuberculosis (TB) infection spreads, treating HIV/AIDS is a waste of time
without treating TB. “TB is the leading killer of people living with
HIV/AIDS”; this is why DWB is treating many co-infected patients. (Doctors
without Borders). DWB does a tremendous amount of work, especially with
the size of the problem. About 100,000 people in Kenya have both HIV and
TB (Tuberculosis Profile), creating a tremendous deficit in needed
healthcare. HIV treatment is expensive and a long term however, it
prevents diseases like TB and Malaria from reoccurring. The HIV infected
is the most susceptible to falling ill from other diseases.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) do important work with health issues;
Organizations such as MB (Medical Bridges), AIDVC (Africa Infectious
Disease Village Clinics) and CW (Charity: Water), help with community
health care and wellbeing by treating and preventing illness. Many of the
NGOs can have a wide impact: AIDVC is providing 90,000 people with health
care, along with a fleet of 16 motorcycles to allow them to reach patients
within 80 miles away from their base [AIDVC Outreach Programs], Medical
Bridges ships millions of dollars of medical supplies all over Africa
[Medical Bridges] and in less than four years, charity: water has funded
clean water projects for more than one million people [Charity: Water].
The NGOs help some individuals, but due to the gravity of the situation
there might not be much of a substantial impact nationwide.
There are a lot of efforts to improve conditions in Africa by missions,
NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations. It’s great that there are such
tremendous efforts to help, they accomplish a lot with the little
resources they have. However, NGOs and governmental organizations need to
have a more substantial impact in the future. .
References
"AIDVC Outreach Programs." Africa Infectious Disease Village Clincs,
2005. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
.
Barcott, Rye. it happened on the way to war. New York: 2011. 53. Print.
Barcott, Rye. "Vaccines can keep our health commitment." The News
Observer. N.p., 12/2007. Web. 19 Sep 2011. <7.
"charity: water." Aid for Africa. Aid for Africa, n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"Doctors without Borders." Doctors Without Borders, 12/2007. Web. 19 Sep
2011.
Gibson, Campbell. United States. POPULATION OF THE 100 LARGEST CITIES AND
OTHER URBAN PLACES. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998.
Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet." The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005.
Web. 12 Sep 2011..
"Medical Bridges." Aid for Africa. Aid for Africa, n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
Smith, David. United States. Kibera: Africa’s largest slum. Affordable
Housing Institute: US, 2005. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
.
"Tuberculosis profile." The News Observer. World Health Organization,
2009. Web. 19 Sep 2011.
Around the world there many preventable deaths yearly due to accidents,
lack of medical treatment or vaccines, lack of following safety protocols
and poverty. Kibera deals mainly with the issue of poverty. Imagine the
population of San Francisco, California squeezed into a square mile
[Smith, Gibson]; minus the Fire Department, Police, Electricity and a
dozen other public services; being the largest slum in Nirobi, Africa.
Being in such a deprived state people die every day from starvation, and
simple sickness. What organizations are around to prevent these deaths and
how are they helping?
Many of these deaths could have been prevented by the mere sum of “$7”, as
Baba Chris’s life was saved for $7 in the memoir It Happened on the Way to
War by Rye Barcott. Baba Chris, a leader in the community and a working
man, almost died from malaria because he could not afford the medicine
(Barcott 53). The most heart wrenching aspects of the conditions in Kibera
is that children are dying. As Barcott said in a recent article published
on Newsobserver.com:
“It's unimaginable to lose your child to a disease that can often be
prevented through vaccination for less than $10. It shouldn't happen, not
in our world of plenty. It's not right. It's intolerable.” (Barcott,
“Vaccines”)
There are 8 million child deaths, each year in Africa. (Barcott) Many
could have been prevented. Other common illnesses are HIV/AIDS, malaria,
African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”), tuberculosis, measles and
yellow fever. Due to Kibera being a slum I cannot find any censuses data
and many other forms of statistics, but an estimation can be made using
the national numbers (which themselves are probably underestimated)
compared to the size of Kibera’s population. 50,000 residents are infected
with HIV/AIDS, [HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet] making it a very real issue
for everyone in Kibera.
Doctors without Borders (DWB), is one organization that really tries to
tackle the health concerns in Kenya, with over 400 field staff working in
Mathare, Kibera, Busia and Homa Bay. Throughout the country HIV/AIDS and
tuberculosis (TB) infection spreads, treating HIV/AIDS is a waste of time
without treating TB. “TB is the leading killer of people living with
HIV/AIDS”; this is why DWB is treating many co-infected patients. (Doctors
without Borders). DWB does a tremendous amount of work, especially with
the size of the problem. About 100,000 people in Kenya have both HIV and
TB (Tuberculosis Profile), creating a tremendous deficit in needed
healthcare. HIV treatment is expensive and a long term however, it
prevents diseases like TB and Malaria from reoccurring. The HIV infected
is the most susceptible to falling ill from other diseases.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) do important work with health issues;
Organizations such as MB (Medical Bridges), AIDVC (Africa Infectious
Disease Village Clinics) and CW (Charity: Water), help with community
health care and wellbeing by treating and preventing illness. Many of the
NGOs can have a wide impact: AIDVC is providing 90,000 people with health
care, along with a fleet of 16 motorcycles to allow them to reach patients
within 80 miles away from their base [AIDVC Outreach Programs], Medical
Bridges ships millions of dollars of medical supplies all over Africa
[Medical Bridges] and in less than four years, charity: water has funded
clean water projects for more than one million people [Charity: Water].
The NGOs help some individuals, but due to the gravity of the situation
there might not be much of a substantial impact nationwide.
There are a lot of efforts to improve conditions in Africa by missions,
NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations. It’s great that there are such
tremendous efforts to help, they accomplish a lot with the little
resources they have. However, NGOs and governmental organizations need to
have a more substantial impact in the future. .
References
"AIDVC Outreach Programs." Africa Infectious Disease Village Clincs,
2005. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
Barcott, Rye. it happened on the way to war. New York: 2011. 53. Print.
Barcott, Rye. "Vaccines can keep our health commitment." The News
Observer. N.p., 12/2007. Web. 19 Sep 2011. <7.
"charity: water." Aid for Africa. Aid for Africa, n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"Doctors without Borders." Doctors Without Borders, 12/2007. Web. 19 Sep
2011.
Gibson, Campbell. United States. POPULATION OF THE 100 LARGEST CITIES AND
OTHER URBAN PLACES. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998.
Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet." The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005.
Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"Medical Bridges." Aid for Africa. Aid for Africa, n.d. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
Smith, David. United States. Kibera: Africa’s largest slum. Affordable
Housing Institute: US, 2005. Web. 12 Sep 2011.
"Tuberculosis profile." The News Observer. World Health Organization,
2009. Web. 19 Sep 2011.
Alieu Baldeh: AIDS in Kibera
HIV/AIDS in Kibera by Alieu Baldeh
Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, is located in the lower East side of Africa. Kibera is one of the saddest places in the world. Kibera has few or no schools. It suffers from a lot of poverty and lack of education. It’s in an area which is home to “approx. 2.5 million slum dwellers in about 200 settlements in Nairobi representing 60% of the Nairobi population, [but] occupying just 6% of the land. Kibera houses almost 1 Million of these people. Kibera is the biggest slum in Africa and one of the biggest in the world” (“Facts”).
Conditions in Kibera are extremely poor, and most of its residents lack access to basic services, including electricity and running water. “It is crowded shoulder to shoulder and enjoys little formal infrastructure. Most of its houses are built from recycled materials and it has neither a central sewer system nor piped fresh water” (Uniben).
One of the most significant problems that Kiberians face is HIV/AIDS. “One fifth of the estimated 2.2 million Kenyans living with HIV live in Kibera where there are at least 50,000 children orphaned by AIDS” (Facts). HIV/AIDS has a daily impact on their lives. How many individuals are infected with HIV/AIDS? Many, but to know the impact of HIV/AIDS on Kiberians is difficult, because it depends on the angle you look at it.
The real impact of HIV/AIDS in Kibera is a question that many individuals should consider asking themselves every single day. The world should be educated about this daily problem that most Africans face to prepare themselves. It is extremely significant to view the problems we Africans face and to discuss them in order to find better results or solutions to them. Helping out in Africa, which many non-African citizens do, is a gift that can never be paid back.
In 2006, the United Nations AIDS program and the World Health Organization says, “more than forty million people [in the world] live with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or with AIDS itself” (Timeline). 40 million? How scary is that? That’s four times the population of NYC expected to die in every 10 or less years. In 2009, it was estimated that 1500 people are living with HIV in Kenya ("UNICEF - Kenya - Statistics.").
“In Kibera there are no government clinics or hospitals. The providers are the charitable organizations: AMREF, MSF, churches plus some others” (“Facts”). This shows the lack of government involvement in Kibera. It shows that Kenyan government does not care about Kiberians living conditions. While Kenya has many other clinics and hospitals around the country, they ignore the place where much of the hospitals are needed. AMREF, African Medical and Research Foundation, is a non-profit organization that helps provide “good quality and affordable health care closer to those who need it most - improving access to health treatment and preventing poor health through community education” ("AMREF”). AMREF is among the most significant organizations that are helping to improve better heath in Kibera.
Since government doesn’t involve itself in Kibera, other non-government organizations are helping out, such as UNICEF. UNICEF is helping children become well educated and sufficient to become leaders in their communities. Some of the youth listen, and then take the initial step in helping themselves and other peers. Some youth don’t listen: they ignore the fact that HIV/AIDS occurs and that they should be careful. “Educating boys and young men about HIV and AIDS presents one of the biggest challenges in modern day Africa, home to 70 percent of the people in the world living with HIV” (“Facts). They are just in their teens and they are extremely very hard headed. Some do listen and most of them just ignore the fact that it exists. Trying to teach them is one of the hardest tasks most people have ever taken on in their life. During an interview, one young man said, ‘“The biggest problem is ignorance,’…‘If we can just gather them together like this to teach them about HIV and AIDS, then there is a chance they can be saved. Some listen to us. Others don’t — one day they might regret it,”’ (“UNICEF”). The challenge is that most of these individuals do not want to be helped. This is true for many people; you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped
Poor, uneducated, ignorant and helpless. That’s what they are; actually that’s what we are. In most cases, Africans only can solve some of the problems we have. In many communities in Africa, there are a lot of dedicated workers who are willing to do a lot for their community and country, but they just need the funds and someone to lead. For example in the book, “it happened on the way to war” when they had a war on trash, “hundreds of residents…gathered for [the] final cleanup” (P. 168), for a cleanup that “meant going knee deep into the slums of sewage, waste, and dead animal and hauling out tons of garbage in pushcarts that [was] so heavy [that] they required a half dozen men to solve them out of the slum” (162). None of them were paid. In comparison to American kids, a lot of them wouldn’t help out in a community cleanup without a reward. Also, we see “Tabitha had taken $26 and build a clinic” (P. 165), free for all Kiberians residents. What Africans need is the funds. They are able to help themselves if they are helped with what they can’t afford.
Many Africans in the U.S. avoid talking about their background, hiding their problems, so they are not in the highlight. If many Africans had worked together, we would be facing fewer problems. But instead, millions of Africans are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, living in poor conditions, suffering lack of education, and lack of help, while many governments are corrupt, doing nothing for the county and stealing all the money. Many politicians stay in power until they are either kicked out by a coup or western involvement.
In conclusion, the Africans AIDS problem is a daily thing that is affecting many individuals and family. A head of house that can’t afford food for its family doesn’t have money to pay for medical bills. Many organizations are trying to help out, which is extremely generous of them. If some wealthy Africans had tried to help out in their homeland, things would have been different. Everybody should be helping out. Because as it goes in one AIDS songs, “today is me, tomorrow is someone else” (Unknown).
"AMREF | What We Do." AMREF | African Medical and Research Foundation | Changing Lives by Improving Quality of Life. 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2011.
Barcott, Rye. It Happened on the Way to War. ; A Marine's Path to Peace. Bloomsbury, 2011. Print.
Centre, Uniben Energy. "AllAfrica.com: Kenya: Dirty, Crime-Ridden Slum Is Where Mutunga Calls 'Home'" AllAfrica.com: Home. 1 July 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2011..
"Facts and Information about Kibera - Kibera." Kibera UK - Working to End Poverty. 2007. Web. 12 Sept. 2011..
Kibera-Webster’s Timeline History 1920-2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2011. www.websters-online-dictionary.org
"UNICEF - Global Movement for Children." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. Jan. 2001. Web. 12 Sept. 2011..
"UNICEF - Kenya - Statistics." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. 1 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2011..
Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, is located in the lower East side of Africa. Kibera is one of the saddest places in the world. Kibera has few or no schools. It suffers from a lot of poverty and lack of education. It’s in an area which is home to “approx. 2.5 million slum dwellers in about 200 settlements in Nairobi representing 60% of the Nairobi population, [but] occupying just 6% of the land. Kibera houses almost 1 Million of these people. Kibera is the biggest slum in Africa and one of the biggest in the world” (“Facts”).
Conditions in Kibera are extremely poor, and most of its residents lack access to basic services, including electricity and running water. “It is crowded shoulder to shoulder and enjoys little formal infrastructure. Most of its houses are built from recycled materials and it has neither a central sewer system nor piped fresh water” (Uniben).
One of the most significant problems that Kiberians face is HIV/AIDS. “One fifth of the estimated 2.2 million Kenyans living with HIV live in Kibera where there are at least 50,000 children orphaned by AIDS” (Facts). HIV/AIDS has a daily impact on their lives. How many individuals are infected with HIV/AIDS? Many, but to know the impact of HIV/AIDS on Kiberians is difficult, because it depends on the angle you look at it.
The real impact of HIV/AIDS in Kibera is a question that many individuals should consider asking themselves every single day. The world should be educated about this daily problem that most Africans face to prepare themselves. It is extremely significant to view the problems we Africans face and to discuss them in order to find better results or solutions to them. Helping out in Africa, which many non-African citizens do, is a gift that can never be paid back.
In 2006, the United Nations AIDS program and the World Health Organization says, “more than forty million people [in the world] live with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or with AIDS itself” (Timeline). 40 million? How scary is that? That’s four times the population of NYC expected to die in every 10 or less years. In 2009, it was estimated that 1500 people are living with HIV in Kenya ("UNICEF - Kenya - Statistics.").
“In Kibera there are no government clinics or hospitals. The providers are the charitable organizations: AMREF, MSF, churches plus some others” (“Facts”). This shows the lack of government involvement in Kibera. It shows that Kenyan government does not care about Kiberians living conditions. While Kenya has many other clinics and hospitals around the country, they ignore the place where much of the hospitals are needed. AMREF, African Medical and Research Foundation, is a non-profit organization that helps provide “good quality and affordable health care closer to those who need it most - improving access to health treatment and preventing poor health through community education” ("AMREF”). AMREF is among the most significant organizations that are helping to improve better heath in Kibera.
Since government doesn’t involve itself in Kibera, other non-government organizations are helping out, such as UNICEF. UNICEF is helping children become well educated and sufficient to become leaders in their communities. Some of the youth listen, and then take the initial step in helping themselves and other peers. Some youth don’t listen: they ignore the fact that HIV/AIDS occurs and that they should be careful. “Educating boys and young men about HIV and AIDS presents one of the biggest challenges in modern day Africa, home to 70 percent of the people in the world living with HIV” (“Facts). They are just in their teens and they are extremely very hard headed. Some do listen and most of them just ignore the fact that it exists. Trying to teach them is one of the hardest tasks most people have ever taken on in their life. During an interview, one young man said, ‘“The biggest problem is ignorance,’…‘If we can just gather them together like this to teach them about HIV and AIDS, then there is a chance they can be saved. Some listen to us. Others don’t — one day they might regret it,”’ (“UNICEF”). The challenge is that most of these individuals do not want to be helped. This is true for many people; you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped
Poor, uneducated, ignorant and helpless. That’s what they are; actually that’s what we are. In most cases, Africans only can solve some of the problems we have. In many communities in Africa, there are a lot of dedicated workers who are willing to do a lot for their community and country, but they just need the funds and someone to lead. For example in the book, “it happened on the way to war” when they had a war on trash, “hundreds of residents…gathered for [the] final cleanup” (P. 168), for a cleanup that “meant going knee deep into the slums of sewage, waste, and dead animal and hauling out tons of garbage in pushcarts that [was] so heavy [that] they required a half dozen men to solve them out of the slum” (162). None of them were paid. In comparison to American kids, a lot of them wouldn’t help out in a community cleanup without a reward. Also, we see “Tabitha had taken $26 and build a clinic” (P. 165), free for all Kiberians residents. What Africans need is the funds. They are able to help themselves if they are helped with what they can’t afford.
Many Africans in the U.S. avoid talking about their background, hiding their problems, so they are not in the highlight. If many Africans had worked together, we would be facing fewer problems. But instead, millions of Africans are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, living in poor conditions, suffering lack of education, and lack of help, while many governments are corrupt, doing nothing for the county and stealing all the money. Many politicians stay in power until they are either kicked out by a coup or western involvement.
In conclusion, the Africans AIDS problem is a daily thing that is affecting many individuals and family. A head of house that can’t afford food for its family doesn’t have money to pay for medical bills. Many organizations are trying to help out, which is extremely generous of them. If some wealthy Africans had tried to help out in their homeland, things would have been different. Everybody should be helping out. Because as it goes in one AIDS songs, “today is me, tomorrow is someone else” (Unknown).
"AMREF | What We Do." AMREF | African Medical and Research Foundation | Changing Lives by Improving Quality of Life. 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2011.
Barcott, Rye. It Happened on the Way to War. ; A Marine's Path to Peace. Bloomsbury, 2011. Print.
Centre, Uniben Energy. "AllAfrica.com: Kenya: Dirty, Crime-Ridden Slum Is Where Mutunga Calls 'Home'" AllAfrica.com: Home. 1 July 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.
"Facts and Information about Kibera - Kibera." Kibera UK - Working to End Poverty. 2007. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.
Kibera-Webster’s Timeline History 1920-2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2011. www.websters-online-dictionary.org
"UNICEF - Global Movement for Children." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. Jan. 2001. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.
"UNICEF - Kenya - Statistics." UNICEF - UNICEF Home. 1 Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2011.
Jake Hummel: HIV/AIDS: The Impact on Children
HIV/AIDS: The Impact on Children by Jake Hummel
Throughout the world all types of children are affected by deadly
diseases. One of the most known and widespread diseases is HIV/AIDS. Each
year thousands of children either contract or die from this horrible
disease. One continent that has seemed to have the biggest problems with
HIV/AIDS is that of Africa. Over the past several decades there has been
a huge epidemic of HIV/AIDS where the disease has spread across the
continent like wildfire. The reason that it has spread so much is because
it can be transmitted both sexually and also through blood in syringes or
transfusion. Once you contract the disease there is no cure for it, there
are only medications that can slow down the disease. However these
medications are extremely expensive and also need to be taken on a very
specific schedule. Since they are so expensive it makes it almost
impossible for the people of Africa to receive the help they need due to
the fact that they wouldn’t be able to afford the medications.
The biggest question that stuck out the most was what is the effect of
all the kids in Africa that are around HIV/AIDS? Not only do i wonder
about the effects on the children surrounded or even infected with it,
but is there help for these kids, such as organizations? This is a very
important question because there are hundreds of thousands of children
all across Africa that are affected by this terrible disease. They can
be affected by contracting the disease from a family member often and
infected parent has HIV/AIDS. Also this has been one of the major
problems over the past several decades so getting more information about
this topic is essential.
After going through many articles on the internet i have found several
affects or impacts that the children of Africa have from HIV/AIDS. Many
of these affects and impacts are not good however there are several
examples of very helpful impacts. “In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately
50 million children have lost one or both parents, almost 15 million of
them due to HIV/ Aids” (Rosemary). These are extremely high numbers of
children that have lost their family members. I was stunned when I first
read this information because all that could come to mind is, now what
are the children doing? “Since these are such high numbers theUnited
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on governments in the Sub
Saharan region to strengthen support systems, which provide the basis for
a more protective environment in families and communities to keep
children safe and strengthen families” (Rosemary). This is an extremely
good impact because without the help of the United Nations these numbers
would only increase and more and more children would be living in the
streets each day. With the increase in children living in the streets
this can cause them to join gangs, become other types of criminals or in
the worst case die. “High levels of poverty, HIV/Aids and lack of
knowledge on children's rights are increasing the number of street
children in Ntungamo District” (Perez). This is a major impact because
over the past several years the numbers of kids that are living on the
streets has been increasing due to this disease. It is extremely bad
because since they are living on the street they have no way of getting
food or other things that you need in order to survive.
Some other effects of HIV/AIDS on children are with their school work.
“Child upbringing is not the sole responsibility of the parents or
caregivers alone adding that HIV and AIDs has left many children without
parents or caregivers and there is a need to bridge the gap” (Vimbai).
This basically means that there are many kids that don’t get the correct
schooling due to the fact that their parents are either sick or have died
from this disease. There have also been some positive impacts that have
come out of this such as camps that have helped out many of the children
affected by HIV/AIDS. “In Africa, there is a growing trend among U.S.
based aid groups to organize HIV/AIDS awareness camps, these camps also
try to empower children affected by the disease, in addition to
activities like sports, dancing and arts and crafts, there are also
classes for hygiene and nutrition” (“US AID GROUPS”). This is a very
positive thing for the children because they do not only get a lot of
help from these people and learn good things but they are reminded that
there are people out there that really do care about them and want to
help them out in every way possible.
There are many things that the children of Africa have to go through on a
day to day basis. One of those things that they are surrounded by all the
time is HIV/AIDS. It is terrible that they have to be continuously
reminded of the terrible things that the disease does to people. They
also have to deal with the death of family members because there are so
many people that are affected in Africa. Throughout the book It happened
on the way to war by Rye Barcott he is exposed to all of the suffering
that goes on with a good majority of kids in Africa that are surrounded
by the disease. Since he sees all of the things that happen it made him
want to help out in anyway possible. Many other people have this same
feeling which lead them to start organizations to benefit these kids.
Without the help of these people many of the children in Africa would be
completely helpless.
References
Mirondo, Rosemary "Nation Moving Towards Children Protection System."
Africa News Service 4 July 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 12 Sep. 2011.
Rumanzi, Perez "Poverty Forces More Children to Street Life." Africa News
Service 4 July 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 12 Sep. 2011.
“US AID GROUPS ORGANIZE HIV/AIDS CAMPS IN AFRICA.” States News Service
30 July 2011. Infrotrac Newsstand. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.
Vimbai, Karumazondo “Learners Debate HIV And Aids.” Africa News Service 11
Aug. 2011 Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.
Throughout the world all types of children are affected by deadly
diseases. One of the most known and widespread diseases is HIV/AIDS. Each
year thousands of children either contract or die from this horrible
disease. One continent that has seemed to have the biggest problems with
HIV/AIDS is that of Africa. Over the past several decades there has been
a huge epidemic of HIV/AIDS where the disease has spread across the
continent like wildfire. The reason that it has spread so much is because
it can be transmitted both sexually and also through blood in syringes or
transfusion. Once you contract the disease there is no cure for it, there
are only medications that can slow down the disease. However these
medications are extremely expensive and also need to be taken on a very
specific schedule. Since they are so expensive it makes it almost
impossible for the people of Africa to receive the help they need due to
the fact that they wouldn’t be able to afford the medications.
The biggest question that stuck out the most was what is the effect of
all the kids in Africa that are around HIV/AIDS? Not only do i wonder
about the effects on the children surrounded or even infected with it,
but is there help for these kids, such as organizations? This is a very
important question because there are hundreds of thousands of children
all across Africa that are affected by this terrible disease. They can
be affected by contracting the disease from a family member often and
infected parent has HIV/AIDS. Also this has been one of the major
problems over the past several decades so getting more information about
this topic is essential.
After going through many articles on the internet i have found several
affects or impacts that the children of Africa have from HIV/AIDS. Many
of these affects and impacts are not good however there are several
examples of very helpful impacts. “In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately
50 million children have lost one or both parents, almost 15 million of
them due to HIV/ Aids” (Rosemary). These are extremely high numbers of
children that have lost their family members. I was stunned when I first
read this information because all that could come to mind is, now what
are the children doing? “Since these are such high numbers theUnited
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on governments in the Sub
Saharan region to strengthen support systems, which provide the basis for
a more protective environment in families and communities to keep
children safe and strengthen families” (Rosemary). This is an extremely
good impact because without the help of the United Nations these numbers
would only increase and more and more children would be living in the
streets each day. With the increase in children living in the streets
this can cause them to join gangs, become other types of criminals or in
the worst case die. “High levels of poverty, HIV/Aids and lack of
knowledge on children's rights are increasing the number of street
children in Ntungamo District” (Perez). This is a major impact because
over the past several years the numbers of kids that are living on the
streets has been increasing due to this disease. It is extremely bad
because since they are living on the street they have no way of getting
food or other things that you need in order to survive.
Some other effects of HIV/AIDS on children are with their school work.
“Child upbringing is not the sole responsibility of the parents or
caregivers alone adding that HIV and AIDs has left many children without
parents or caregivers and there is a need to bridge the gap” (Vimbai).
This basically means that there are many kids that don’t get the correct
schooling due to the fact that their parents are either sick or have died
from this disease. There have also been some positive impacts that have
come out of this such as camps that have helped out many of the children
affected by HIV/AIDS. “In Africa, there is a growing trend among U.S.
based aid groups to organize HIV/AIDS awareness camps, these camps also
try to empower children affected by the disease, in addition to
activities like sports, dancing and arts and crafts, there are also
classes for hygiene and nutrition” (“US AID GROUPS”). This is a very
positive thing for the children because they do not only get a lot of
help from these people and learn good things but they are reminded that
there are people out there that really do care about them and want to
help them out in every way possible.
There are many things that the children of Africa have to go through on a
day to day basis. One of those things that they are surrounded by all the
time is HIV/AIDS. It is terrible that they have to be continuously
reminded of the terrible things that the disease does to people. They
also have to deal with the death of family members because there are so
many people that are affected in Africa. Throughout the book It happened
on the way to war by Rye Barcott he is exposed to all of the suffering
that goes on with a good majority of kids in Africa that are surrounded
by the disease. Since he sees all of the things that happen it made him
want to help out in anyway possible. Many other people have this same
feeling which lead them to start organizations to benefit these kids.
Without the help of these people many of the children in Africa would be
completely helpless.
References
Mirondo, Rosemary "Nation Moving Towards Children Protection System."
Africa News Service 4 July 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 12 Sep. 2011.
Rumanzi, Perez "Poverty Forces More Children to Street Life." Africa News
Service 4 July 2011. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 12 Sep. 2011.
“US AID GROUPS ORGANIZE HIV/AIDS CAMPS IN AFRICA.” States News Service
30 July 2011. Infrotrac Newsstand. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.
Vimbai, Karumazondo “Learners Debate HIV And Aids.” Africa News Service 11
Aug. 2011 Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.
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