Author Archive
Friend of Tanzania? We Are!
Posted by Kim on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:51 am
Marafiki wa Tanzania, or Friends of Tanzania(for all the mzungu out there) is a non-profit charitable and educational organization devoted to identifying and supporting worthy projects in Tanzania, collecting and disseminating information on the life, culture and development of Tanzania and bringing together people interested in supporting this diverse East African country.
Friends of Tanzania/ Marafiki wa Tanzania
FOT has created an incredible network of organizations dedicated to the growth and development of the nation. Learn more about Friends of Tanzania and other noteworthy TZ based organizations by checking out their website: http://www.fotanzania.org/
HUGE THANK YOU TO FRIENDS OF TANZANIA FOR INCLUDING US IN THEIR LIST OF NON-PROFITS, WE’RE HONORED TO BE INCLUDED!
Safer Sex in the United States
Posted by Kim on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 3:16 pm
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more american’s than ever are practicing “safer sex”. This means they are actually engaging in less “high risk for HIV” behavior, such as illicit drug use, multiple partners, or unprotected sex.
Use of condoms increased to 35% during 2006-2010 up from 30% in 2002.
The most important finding of the study is identifying which population groups are most at risk. For example, participants ages 20-24 are more likely to engage in one of the ten “risky behaviors”.
There’s no definitive reason for the decline in risky behavior, however this success could imply that the public health awareness campaigns are working.
Want to read more about this topic?
We suggest MSNBC’s article “High-Risk HIV Behavior Declines in US” or USA Today’s article “More Americans practice safe sex, CDC Reports”
Donate $12 for ’12: Consider What 12 Can Do
Posted by Kim on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Be a part of SIC’s commitment to provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS services in our partner communities. To start off the new year, we’re asking SIC alumni and friends to donate $12 for 2012.
Consider what just $12 can do:
- 650 condoms -
With just $12, we can provide condoms to a rural village for proper HIV prevention
- 25 bars of soap -
Soap, while seeming simple, is a key factor in increasing health standards in rural villages for HIV positive patients
- Fuel for patients visits in 3 villages -
Without transportation we couldn’t deliver supplies or support to our positive patients
- Monthly salary for a Community Health Worker-
Without our CHW’s, we wouldn’t have a working support system. They dedicate their time and efforts to our cause and deserve proper compensation.
-Train 2 hospital staff members in a remote area-
$12 makes it possible for staff members to attend a mobile care and treatment clinic in a remote area, who might not otherwise have access to these necessary skills
SIC relies on our donors generosity to keep the programs you have come to know and love. We appreciate your participation and wish you the best in 2012.
TO DONATE AND LEARN MORE CLICK HERE
Tuko Pamoja Kuushinda UKIMWI!
We are united in the fight against AIDS!
Join the Global Health Corps!
Posted by Kim on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Applications for the GHC’s next cycle are now available!
GHC provides opportunities for young professionals from diverse backgrounds to work on the frontlines of the fight for global health equity in year-long fellowships.GHC fellows have a measurable impact on the health of the communities in which they work, and draw upon that experience and the GHC alumni network to deepen their impact throughout their careers.
GHC will create a pipeline of young leaders for the global health equity movement, and at scale will play a central role in sustaining and consistently reinvigorating this movement for change. This infusion of young, passionate, skilled leaders will help to tip the balance towards a more equitable and just global distribution of health services.
Become FACEAIDS’ Next Executive Director!
Posted by Kim on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 1:04 pm
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FULL TIME, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
FACE AIDS is seeking its next Executive Director. Founded in 2005, FACE AIDS is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a global movement of young leaders to fight HIV/AIDS and promote global health equity. Based in San Francisco with programs spanning the United States and Rwanda, FACE AIDS is a leading organization in the youth mobilization and global health space.
FACE AIDS is seeking an outstanding, dedicated leader to serve as its Executive Director beginning in spring 2012. The Executive Director will lead the strategic growth and development of FACE AIDS; secure funding to support its operations and programs; lead and manage staff members; and serve as the organization’s public face. The successful candidate will have deep passion for the organization’s mission and work, meaningful leadership experience with demonstrated results, significant experience with and capacity for fundraising and management, and the desire to be part of a dynamic, start-up work environment. The position is based in San Francisco, and requires a multi-year commitment.
SIC’s Stateside World AIDS Day in Review
Posted by Kim on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 3:12 pm
As you can see from other posts, SIC around the world was very busy! In addition to our events in Tanzania and Southhampton, check out what we’ve been doing Stateside…
Cornell’s SIC team hosted a bake sale.
Our lovely interns Kelly, Meghan, and Chloe manning the table
While at University of Arizona, SIC volunteers hosted an event complete with HIV testing
SIC volunteers Michael & Karlie working it for the camera!
U of A HIV Testing
Our Boston University SICers got involved on campus too!
Chloe tabling for WAD at Boston University
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More in SIC/ WAD in the news:
SIC’s World AIDS Day dance party event was mentioned in the Tuscon Weekly put on by our very own Jeremy Isajiw from VP 4. HUGE congratulations on the successful event!!
This New York Times article “Foreign Aid is Not a Rathole” by Ezekial Emanuel is especially relevant to our cause. This past WAD, we have proof foreign assistance funds are making a difference. Despite foreign aids bad reputation as a “rathole” or waste of resources/ money, we have clear proof that the measures taken by the United States and other countries to fight HIV, and other preventable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, are working. World AIDS Day this past year was a benchmark celebration boasting the value of foreign aid and efforts.
Can't stop grinning about our WAD success!
World AIDS Day 2011: More Reasons Than Ever Before to Celebrate
Posted by Kim on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 6:52 pm
December 1 is World AIDS Day (WAD), an official worldwide celebration of how far we’ve come with HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, & an acknowledgement of how far we still have to go in our fight. This year’s World AIDS Day is especially profound; it’s been a game changing year for the AIDS fight.
The 2011 UNAIDS World AIDS Day report, released December 1, 2011, & the 2010 UNAIDS Global Report, released November 21, 2011, give us more reason to celebrate this World AIDS day. The 2010 Global Report proudly proclaims that numbers of new infections are stabilizing. This means our efforts, both preventative and treatment based, are working effectively. According to the WAD Report, 2011 proved to be a benchmark year for new bio medical breakthroughs, political leadership and warranted noticeable results.
The 2011 WAD report tell us that 50% of people eligible for antiretroviral therapy are now receiving treatment, a change SIC works directly to support through our programs. The number of HIV infections have decreased 21% since 1997, while AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 21% since 2005. The Global Report tells us 33.3 million people are infected and approximately 5 million are now being treated. The Global Report also highlights the tangibility of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission completely. New treatment options have adverted an estimated 2.5 million AIDS related deaths since 1995. The numbers in the Global Report prove that countries advocating prevention through awareness campaigns and anti-stigma movements have seen a notable decrease in new HIV infections. Additionally, new investment strategies have proved particularly effective. In the 2011 WAD report, Michael Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, comments ”The investment framework is community driven not commodity driven. It puts people at the centre of the approach, not the virus.” A philosophy SIC couldn’t agree more with.
While there are still many challenges to eradicating the virus completely, the 2010 report shows us enormous progress in the fight, while the breakthroughs made in 2011 have been unprecedented. These advancements will surely boost morale of HIV activists and patients everywhere and set the stage to propel full speed ahead into 2012, committing even further to continue the fight.
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Read the official UNAIDS World AIDS Day press release HERE
Read the official 2011 UNAIDS World AIDS Day report HERE
Read the official 2010 UNAIDS Global report HERE
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SIC proudly supports World AIDS Day all across the world.
Here’s how some of our collegiate supporters are participating:
- VP4 2010′s WAD March in Babati Town
VP4 2010 gathers with some of the villagers who participated in the "Tuko Pamoja" march
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$12 for '12 Campaign
Behavioral vs. Biomedical Campaigns: Which is more effective in the fight against HIV/AIDS?
Posted by Kim on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Despite endless awareness campaigns, medical breakthroughs, and increased understanding of what causes HIV & how to prevent it, the pandemic isn’t showing any signs of stopping. Many, including Dr. Perry Haltkis, PhD & author of “The AIDS Generation”, ask why? Why aren’t the awareness campaigns and HIV prevention methods working? Why aren’t the proven medical breakthroughs working? It’s an entirely preventable disease, so why can’t we stop it it?
In an article published in Chelsea Now, Dr. Haltkis argues that behavioral change programs aren’t actually as effective as we’d like to think they are. Dr. Haltkis makes the point “For me, these interventions are like a topical ointment or a Band-Aid used to treat a deep skin infection — when what is really needed is a powerful oral antibiotic.” Biomedical interventions, as opposed to behavioral ones, might be more effective in terms of preventing the virus.
Three in particular have proven effective in lowering the risk. The CAPRISA trial proves the effectiveness of Tenofovir gel, also known as Truvada, an HIV antiviral medication gel that reduces risk in women, while the iPrEx trial reveals the efficacy of Tenofovir or Truvada pill in preventing the virus in gay men. HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study has found treating those already HIV + with antiviral treatments can reduce transmission to their partners. Despite these incredible findings, transmission still occurs regularly. So again, we ask the question – we have the means for prevention, why isn’t it working?
First and foremost, the drugs are still in trial phases & more time is needed to truly examine the results. In an article published in the New York Times on November 25th (after Dr. Haltkis published his article), the microbicide anti HIV gel trial, the follow up to the CAPRISA trial, was cancelled because it wasn’t effectively preventing HIV transmission in women. These results are especially disappointing because the gel seemed to be working in the previous CAPRISA trial. Apparently, the Truvada pill trial was also cancelled in September because of similar results. Exactly why these seemed to suddenly stop working is still being determined. One hypothesis was the dosage frequency, something Dr. Haltkis mentions in his article as well.
As with most medications that require specifically timed daily dosages, such as birth control, there will always be instances of extenuating circumstance so the medicine isn’t received at the required time thus causing its efficacy to decrease – we are human after all. Just as many people forget their vitamins every day, the same goes for these treatments but the effect of this could mean a person’s life.
Dr. Haltkis concludes that neither behavioral or biomedical interventions are foolproof, both have their flaws and need further time, funding, and research to truly understand their benefits and efficacy. For now, we move forward armed with both awareness campaigns and medical breakthroughs. While neither has the power to completely stop the virus, there is still proven benefit to having both. In a recent study released by the UNAIDS report, numbers are stabilizing. Hopefully someday, and someday soon, the numbers will show a decrease in HIV infections.
While we still ask why, we focus on what we can actually do, by asking how can we help, with both prevention methods and those already infected.
Read Dr. Haltkis’ full article here
Conscious Contraceptives: Do Good While Feeling Good
Posted by Kim on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 11:52 am
Have you ever heard of Tom’s shoes? It’s a very successful campaign that uses a “one for one” charity model. You buy one pair of their shoes, they send a pair to a child in need. You can help change a life just by buying something you already use everyday. Going off this “one for one” model, Conscious Contraceptives developed a similar campaign but with – you guessed it – contraceptives. Genius, right?
A portion of every purchase from Conscious Contraceptives (ConCon.org) is contributed towards donating condoms and other contraceptives to communities in need, both domestic and abroad. In addition to handing out condoms, ConCon.org partners with organizations and campaigns dedicated to promoting safe sex and proper use of the contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted illnesses, including HIV. Concon.org boasts “using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good, we transform our customers into benefactors, allowing us to grow a truly sustainable business.” And we agree.
SIC proudly partners with Conscious Contraceptives and supports their mission.
Want to learn more and keep up with the latest from Conscious Contraceptives?
Faster Condom to Prevent HIV
Posted by Kim on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 10:25 am
- Condoms are proven effective in preventing the spread of HIV when used correctly and consistently. So why aren’t more people using them? A common complaint is the frustration of fumbling to put the condom on and killing the mood. This “condom tango” causes anxiety for both the man trying to apply the condom and his partner. Even though the condom can protect your health, and even save your life, often times this excuse is enough to forgo the condom and take the risk – a mindset the HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns at SIC are working to change. Willem van Renbug, a South African inventor, came up with a brilliant idea: the Pronto Condom. A quick, easy to apply condom. No fumbling, no anxiety – just a quickly applied condom. In fact, the Pronto condom claims to go from “package to shaft in less than three seconds.” Not much to complain about there.
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Not Convinced?
Watch this video and see for yourself
- SIC learned about the Pronto condom through GOOD, a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward
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