Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Facts on AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
AIDS was first reported June 5, 1981. Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century.
Approximately 40.3 million people worldwide are living with HIV, including 2.3 million children under the age of 15. In 2007, AIDS claimed the lives of an estimated 3.1 million people, including 570,000 children under the age of 15. Over three-fourths of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
There is a great deal of discrimination, stigmatization, and denial regarding AIDS. Often, women and girls are culturally and socially more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. Many African cultures discourage women from asserting themselves sexually, from being able to refuse sex, or to require their partners to practice safe sex.
Economic hardships often lead women and children into situations of sexual exploitation, working in prostitution or exchanging sexual favors for daily necessities such as food, resources, shelter, protection and money.
Many children, especially girls are withdrawn from school before they reach the state of literacy to care for sick family members or earn money to supplement the household income.
Approximately 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be orphaned by AIDS. By 2010 there will be approximately 20 million children who have lost at least one parent to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
AIDS was first reported June 5, 1981. Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century.
Approximately 40.3 million people worldwide are living with HIV, including 2.3 million children under the age of 15. In 2007, AIDS claimed the lives of an estimated 3.1 million people, including 570,000 children under the age of 15. Over three-fourths of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
There is a great deal of discrimination, stigmatization, and denial regarding AIDS. Often, women and girls are culturally and socially more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. Many African cultures discourage women from asserting themselves sexually, from being able to refuse sex, or to require their partners to practice safe sex.
Economic hardships often lead women and children into situations of sexual exploitation, working in prostitution or exchanging sexual favors for daily necessities such as food, resources, shelter, protection and money.
Many children, especially girls are withdrawn from school before they reach the state of literacy to care for sick family members or earn money to supplement the household income.
Approximately 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be orphaned by AIDS. By 2010 there will be approximately 20 million children who have lost at least one parent to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Labels: AIDS
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
iJoin Competition
The competition starts April 1, 2008 and runs until March 31, 2009. Post your questions or thoughts in the comments here and we will answer them for you!
Be sure to visit http://www.jointherace.org/ijoin/competition.php for more information about the competition.
Be sure to visit http://www.jointherace.org/ijoin/competition.php for more information about the competition.
Labels: iJoin
Looking for Teammates
If you want to become an iJoiner and are looking for teammates, you can post here what event(s) you are looking for someone else to do. Be sure to check out the adjusted rules for iJoin teams and iJoin families.
Welcome
Join the Race is a grassroots effort among several people from the community of Prinsburg, Minnesota to raise support and awareness for CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee) in their continuing efforts to faithfully and adequately address the pandemic of AIDS and its devastating effects.
The special emphasis of Join the Race is Mike Pluimer's competition in Ironman South Africa in April 2009 to raise awareness and funds for the Embrace AIDS Campaign of CRWRC. Just like the Ironman competitions, the fight against AIDS will require endurance and relentless efforts.
You are invited to join the race!
