A sampling of written student submissions for
OWYP's 2006 AIDS Awareness Day:
ESSAY:
The AIDS epidemic is a global concern more has to be done to minimize or eradicate AIDS around the world. Since AIDS is a global concern, we should work together to SENSITIZE those that are not affected by AIDS and create LOVE for those who have the deadly virus AIDS.
In my capacity as a young leader, it will be more achievable and workable to strategize practical plans to engage more youth in every community, towns, and villages to partake in the sensitization and awareness programs for peer groups.
Plans to eradicate AIDS.
Peer Education/Information: Plans on this title will allow us to create more awareness among young people using informative AIDS document, brochures, leaflets, condom during this awareness. Organizing series of HIV/AIDS workshop where trainers will train young people and sensitize them about AIDS. This can be achieve, if only we continuously and massively create more practical programs through AIDS competition, sports, peer-to-peer education, outreach programs, national conferences, etc.
Radio Programs on AIDS: This title is mainly focus on radio programs relating HIV/AIDS. This is another means of creating a drama program or related programs to be play on national radio stations. This can be achieve, if national radio stations agree to create airwaves for said program. There are lots of funds that can solicit for from other organization to sponsor this radio program. This is a good way of creating national awareness about AIDS and eradication as well.
Solicitation for AIDS Awareness: Youth leaders need to come together and organize meetings to meet Counties Representatives, AIDS awareness organizations, and activists to morally, financially and materially contribute towards the eradication of AIDS. Funds can also be use for project proposal implementation. If this can be reach to other young people in towns and villages frequently, then we will be heading to a positive change. The eradication and awareness of AIDS can fully be achieved if we balance our work both in the urban and rural environment. Getting government support will also enhance this awareness and minimize the AIDS rate.
National Youth Leaders Symposium: This will help youth leaders strategize and brainstorm on the AIDS epidemic. Collective ideas can be use into bigger programs after this symposium, hearing the voices of young people. Those that are affected by AIDS can also participate in this national symposium and express the thoughts and plans for those unaware of AIDS.
“Been a leader is not just the title, but the positive change we show make a difference in our lives”.
Child Name: Mercy Lorway
POEM:
DANGEROUS DISEASE
AIDS is now ringing the bells,
Of the city, towns,and villages.
Parents, relatives, Brothers, sisters, friends
Be a ware of the the killer,
Take the safe side before you are a victim.
See graduatees, officers,
Deing at young ages.
Engineers, Students, cival servants,
Are dieing, leaving offices vacant,
And poor weaping orphans.
Wakeup, nation, wakeup,
Human race is Fading,
Our eyes are full of tears,
Our hearts are filled with sorrows,
Sadness, and petty.
Man is seen as a victim to HIV/ AIDS,
Ah, regrating why there was no protection!
Hoping, Wishing for a better condition,
Sorry , sorry, we are a victim.
Let us be helpful to our fellow humans,
Take care of them.
Doctors ,nurses and chemists
Of greatest qualifications,
Are trying day and night,
To find treatment,
Much effort employed is not a failure.
Let us fight the disease,
Be faithful, abstain, use condoms
Create awareness, through education
In your community, country
And across the world.
By the youth from Kyanyawara Environmental Project Members from Fort Portal, Uganda
LETTERS TO CHILDREN:
 
Dear Child,
5-2-06
Hi my name is Mickey Roderick and I’m from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It’s near the water. It’s very nice. I understand you might be sick? I’m very sorry to hear this. I know you probably hear that all the time,…so why don’t we talk about you. What’s your family like? I have 3 brothers and 4 sisters. It’s a big family. What do you like to do for fun? I love to sing and dance. There is never a time where I’m not singing or dancing. During the summer I hang out with my friends and go swimming. Do you like to swim? I do. My mom tells me that I should have been a fish in another life. Do you have any hobbies? I write poems and write my own music. Someday I wish I could be a famous singer. I know that’s a wild dream, but that’s what I want to be, I also want to be a teacher for kids who have A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder). Guess what?!?!?! Here at my school, Cape Cod Tech, on May 24 we are having an AIDS Awareness Day. The slogan is “1 day, 14 Countries, 1 Dream, 1 Action”. What is everyday life like for you? On a regular basis my everyday life is I wake up @ 4:00 a.m. to get ready for school. My bus comes at 5:55 a.m. every morning. Then I leave school at 2:30 p.m. and come home at 4:00 p.m. Then eat dinner and do all my homework and get ready for bed. That’s everyday for my Monday-Friday. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays I sleep in till 12 or 11. Then I usually hang out with friends. That’s my everyday thing. Well I hope my letter makes you feel a little bit better. I wish you the best of luck in everything you do! Remember someone out there cares!
Sincerely,
Mickey Roderick
Cape Cod Technical High School
Ok well remember someone out there Cares!
May 2nd, 2006
Dear Child,
 Hi my name is Ashle.y I’m from Cape Cod which is in the east part of Massachusetts. Our class has been talking about AIDS and how people that live where you do have it. I’m very sorry if you do. I have been sick and I know how it feels. If you do, how does this affect your everyday living? Does it not allow you to do certain things? I learned some things about AIDS that I found shocking and more aware of this disease… 3.1 million people died from AIDS in 2005, and half a million of these are children under 15. This showed me that it’s increasing a lot and now I’m more aware of how serious it really is, especially in sub- Saharan Africa area it is greater. I also learned that it affects teachers, nurses, and villages when schools close and children can’t find medical care. On May 24th Cape Cod Tech is doing an AIDS Awareness Day to tell about AIDS and the problem of it spreading. We will give people red ribbons as a symbol of this disease. Hopefully from this people will become more involved and may want to get involved in fighting this. I hope this letter showed you that there is a person that cares about you. I hope you feel better soon.
Sincerely,
Ashley Salzillo
Cape Cod Tech, Early Childhood Ed, Harwich MA USA
May 3, 2006
Dear Child,
My name is Jessica. I am 15 years old in the 9th grade at Cape Cod Tech. Here we are part of the One world Youth Project, and it has come to my attention that you haveAIDS. I’ve been learning and reading more about AIDS and its symptoms. I know that you live somewhere in Africa - how is your everyday life there? Is it a struggle for you to find food and clean water. To be honest, before learning about this project I didn’t have much knowledge on what AIDS was. I knew of AIDS but nothing more than knowing that it is a disease. I know a little about it because my second uncle has AIDS and he is very ill. He is constantly in the hospital for doctor’s appointments and surgery. I know that he has been going through a lot of pain lately and I am not sure if you are, but I hope that you wouldn’t have to and I am very sorry that you have AIDS. On your usual day, how do you feel when you wake up in the morning? What are your thoughts for the day? I would really love it if you wrote back. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jessica
Cape Cod Technical High School
May 2, 2006
Dear Child,
I heard that you have been diagnosed with AIDS. I am truly sorry that you are sick. I am Samantha Campbell but you can call me Sammy. I live on Cape Cod Massachusetts in the town of Orleans. I go to Cape Cod Tech in Harwich and I am part of the One World Youth Project. Where do you live? I was wondering how you live and what you do to have fun? Is it hard to live with an illness? I remember I got sick a lot when I was younger because I have a smaller immune system than the average child. So I know how you feel when you get sick. Now I am fifteen years of age and I still get sick but not as much as I used to. In March of this year I was put in an ambulance because I couldn’t breathe and I couldn’t move. They doctors said I was having a panic attack but I don’t think that was it. I live with my dad Russ, my older sister Susan, and my dog Wiley. My dad actually had an operation two years ago on his stomach. I was very scared that something might happen. Do you ever worry about what may happen to you? Because I worry everyday about what might happen to you and other people that are sick. Well, on May 24, 2006 we are having an AIDS Awareness Day. There is a slogan that says, “1 day, 14 countries, 1 dream, 1 action.” At my school we are making red ribbons to wear around to show that we care. I hope that you are having fun and smiling every second of the day.
Your friend,
Sammy Campbell
Cape Cod Technical High School
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