Love thy neighbor
By Heidi Heater, a junior from Jackson, Ky.
WILMORE, KY—If you haven’t gotten around to raking your leaves or cleaning out the garage, then you should call the Acting on AIDS chapter at Asbury College. On Nov. 10, students are doing yard work and household chores in exchange for donations from faculty and staff to help fight the AIDS pandemic in Swaziland.
Acting on AIDS hopes to raise money for those affected by this disease and encourage a connection with the community of Themba through fasting, prayer and giving.
“Last year, we tapped into the wallets of the campus,” said Travis Lopes, president of Acting on AIDS. “This year, we’re trying to tap into the hearts of campus.”
Lopes said this project helps the Swazi people who need food, clothes, protection and education. It also allows students get to know the faculty and staff at Asbury College as well as fellow students.
“This was my favorite thing from last year,” he said. “We are establishing ties on our campus, but we’re also serving another community in Africa. It’s like a web of serving.”
Swaziland has the highest prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS in the world at 38.8 percent. With a population 55 percent the size of Wilmore, Themba houses 359 children orphaned because of AIDS and 718 who are likely to become orphans.
AIDS has been called the greatest humanitarian issue of our lifetime. Forty million people in the world suffer with AIDS. Six thousand children are orphaned per day because of this disease, and more than three million people die per year.
If you have questions or would like to donate, please contact Travis Lopes at Travis.Lopes@asbury.edu.
Released: Nov. 7, 2007
Tagged: acting-on-aids and features
