Fighting HIV-AIDS
in our communities and around the world
This week, the 16th
International AIDS conference, also known as AIDS 2006 -- the planet’s
largest gathering to focus on the epidemic that affects 40-million people
worldwide – opens in Toronto.
Just 25 years ago, people
around the globe began to take notice that a deadly disease was in our
midst, one we knew virtually nothing about.
Over that time, perceptions
have changed, and so has the reality: despite the partial successes,
HIV-AIDS is still killing people worldwide at a horrifying rate.
As Stephen Lewis points out,
this disease is destroying many African nations, ravaging families and
communities. Here at home, the challenges are different, but the need for
expensive drugs, and other programs and services of people living with
HIV-AIDS are still unmet.
That is why OPSEU established
the Live and Let Live Fund, and it’s why we’ve been working closely with
the Stephen Lewis Foundation, to help fight HIV-AIDS both at home and
abroad. We were an early and significant contributor to this foundation,
and presented Stephen Lewis with our highest award, the Stanley Knowles
Humanitarian Award, in 2001.
This weekend, Aug. 11 -13,
OPSEU had the honour of participating in and sponsoring the Grandmother’s
Gathering, where African Grandmothers and Canadian Grandmothers are
meeting to share their experiences. This will enable Canadian grandmothers
not only to understand the issues more fully, but also to spread the word
about what is happening, and how people here can become involved.
In Africa, people simply are
not getting the access to the drugs they need – whole generations are
disappearing. It is the grandmothers who are raising the children of their
children.
Through the Lewis Foundation,
OPSEU also supports projects such as the Go-Go Grannies in South Africa,
(we recently hosted Rose Letwaba – a key member of this group) - and the
Umoyo Training Centre in Zambia, that supports young women with HIV/AIDS
to become educated, and learn business skills to help them keep their home
communities sustainable.
Yes, OPSEU is doing our part,
but all of us can do more. Both funds and increased awareness are needed.
Our challenge is to marshal not only the resources but also the political
will to make HIV treatment and prevention programs available to as many
people as possible.
To find out how you as an
individual – or your local – can help, visit the OPSEU Live and Let Live
fund site at
http://www.opseu.org/campaign/liveandletlive.htm
In Solidarity,
Leah Casselman, President
Click here to
view Leah's message in French
