Helping AIDS...

Friday December 1st marked the nineteenth annual Worlds Aids Day. Although many people in America see this disease as a “gay” disease, many people around the world are dying daily. Most of the people live in developing countries with little or no health coverage, poor housing and water, little or no education, and very little knowledge of this dreaded disease. By 2030, AIDS will be the number three cause of death just behind heart disease and stroke. Ukraine’s president says that more than 100,000 people have been registered as having HIV/AIDS and more than eight people die daily of this dreaded disease.

How has this epidemic gotten so far out of control? Although abstinence is the best policy, we all know that it is not going to happen. The days of “no sex” until marriage is gone for most young people through out the world. I grew up in the early eighties when AIDS was only known as the “gay cancer”. I knew nothing of this disease, but I also had parents that would talk with me about anything I may ask. They helped guide me and knew what was best for me (although I didn’t see it that way). The problem we have today is the religious community. There are some major players in the religious communities that believe teaching kids to protect themselves is going to push these kids to have sex. We need to open our eyes and understand that the world has changed and is continuing to change.

There is one young man who understands this. His name is Austin Gutwein. When Austin was nine he was writing to a pen pal in Africa. Through his correspondence with his friend, he learned all about Africa. He even learned about the bad side, AIDS. He wanted to do something to help, so he started a fundraiser. It started out with him raising $3,000, which is great for a nine year old, but wasn’t enough for Austin. He reached out to 1000 kids who helped him raise $38,000 for World Vision. This year Austin has set his sights a little higher. He wants to help build a school in Africa. With his efforts and those around him, Austin has helped raise $100,000 for World Vision, who is going to be building the new school next year.

Lets take a lesson from Austin, this 12-year-old miracle worker who wanted to help the less fortunate not only in our country, but the world we all live in. We have to all open our eyes and respect the people that live elsewhere in the world. We have to understand that “god” did not make America for the privileged or the powerful. We are one world and one people. If one little boy can make a difference in the lives of others, where have we lost our way?