“Sometimes I'll go for a month just taking my meds as a daily routine and not even thinking about what they are for. And then sometimes I'll look at them and think, "Wow -- these are what's keeping me alive." Now I'm at a point where I look at the pills and think, "Yeah, these pills -- this fistful of pills -- are what's keeping me alive." It is hard to describe. It was hard watching my mom die of the disease that I had, that I knew I had. I knew I could end up like her. It's hard having that realization at such a young age. It kind of changes your whole life. It really does.”
This quote is from a conversation I had with a 15 year old girl in South Africa two summers ago. While traveling and spending time at an HIV/AIDS clinic, I was honoured to spend time with many orphaned children who themselves were also HIV positive.
This is why I take the lead. This is why I make a pledge to STOP AIDS. This is why I keep my promise to keep on being an activist for the pandemic. Another Canadian who is a well known HIV/AIDS activist is Stephen Lewis. He wrote a book called “Race against time” which is a very powerful message of what he has seen and experienced as the Special UN Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. I would like to share a story from his book with you today…. PAGE 35-36.
Leaders, like Stephen Lewis and James Orbinski (another Canadian activist) are distinguished by their action, innovation and vision; their personal example and engagement of others; and their perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges. However, leaders are often not those in the highest offices.
Leadership must be demonstrated at every level to get ahead of the disease - in families, schools, and communities. Much of the best leadership on AIDS has been demonstrated within civil society organizations challenging the status quo. Making leadership the theme of the next two World AIDS Days will help encourage leadership on AIDS within all levels and sectors of society. The hope is that this will inspire and foster champions within a range of different groups and networks at local and international levels.
Despite the efforts to hold leaders accountable in 2006 and years before that, progress in halting HIV is falling far short of targets. The spread of HIV is not slowing down, in fact it is quickening – with more people infected in 2006 than in any previous year. This is despite the number of promises by world leaders to provide services to curb the rates of infection and to bring down death rates. The G8 has made commitments on AIDS which now need to be delivered upon. Promises are not being kept because there is a lack of leadership at every level.
It is everyone’s responsibility to take action against this disease. Today we will continue to make a difference by joining together in prayer for all those that are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We will also make a pledge that each of us will continue to be leaders in a world much need of compassion, dignity, and humanity.
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