AIDS & WAR NO LONGER A DEATH SENTENCE FOR UGANDAN CHILDREN

There is a feeling of connection, of emotion, a narrative of the human condition evident when the 22 member dance troupe known as the Spirit of Uganda perform. From out of the ruins of Aids and War that has claimed the parents of approximately 2.4 million Ugandan Children over the past 20
years, a compelling spirit of pure radiant joy has awoken.

Alex Hefley, a former Texas banker visited Uganda in 1993 where she watched orphans dancing for tourists to earn money.  Wondering about the existence of community, the existence of intimacy, Alex said, “I found it in these orphanages – I saw magic.”

These children’s talent and passion inspired Alex to join together working with the nuns from the Daughters of Charity orphanage in Kampala in the organization of a traveling dance troupe.
Their goals are focused on giving the problems within Uganda a human face, raising awareness and raising money.  The Spirit of Uganda dance troupe travel across the United States every 2
years.  They are helping support the hundreds of orphans in Uganda. 

Some children who audition for the ensemble earn scholarships for attending US Universities.  Upon graduating they return home to Uganda and aid in rebuilding their country.

As one dancer expresses, “People think, these children have lost their parents.  They’ve had so
many problems.  But then they see us perform.  They see our smiles.  And they learn that life goes on.”

Loss can give us the strength to move forward in life.  As these children are showing us Aids and
War do not have to be a continuing death sentence through the generations.

Shele & Michael.

Previous in series Next in series

Tweet This Post

YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN EXPOSED TO HIV DURING ANAL SEX

HIV is on the increase in younger men and women.  There is new evidence in The United States that indicates that over one third of new HIV infections within the population are aged between 13 and 29 years.

The sex myth - “I don’t think that I will get HIV because I am not having intercourse.”

There is a  rise in younger men and women who are sexually experimenting with anal sex.  It is the mindset of these young men and young women that is increasing the potential of them contracting the HIV Virus.  By thinking that they are safe when engaging in anal sex they are not using appropriate protective methods.   And it is not through the lack of sex education.  Many of these young men and young women are capable of reciting how you can get Aids.

The cultural trend of our societies has been to produce “walking, talking parrots,” teaching what to think not how to think.

Could it be that the method of how this sex education is being delivered to these young men and young women is in need of a major overhaul?

Shele & Michael

Previous in series Next in series

Tweet This Post