ONE at the Candlelight Memorial Service in Austin TX

[Jamila]

Hi EveryONE,


There will be an event happening tomorrow (20 May) in nearly 100 countries around the world - an event that you should know about and support.

It's the 24th annual Candlelight Memorial Service (www.candlelight memorial.org) sponsored by the Global Health Council (www.globalhealth.org)




Here is a little bit about the event from their website:


The annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is one of the largest and oldest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world. The Candlelight Memorial occurs on the third Sunday of every May and is led by volunteer coordinators who host memorials for their communities worldwide. Now in its 24th year, the Candlelight is meant to honor all those who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic.


But the Candlelight is much more than just a memorial. It’s also an opportunity to educate about HIV/AIDS, influence local and national policy makers, and create community dialogue about prevention, care, and treatment for the disease. It’s an occasion for coordinators to improve their community mobilization skills, partner with other organizations and professionals in their field, and find unity within a global coalition of AIDS activists.


In 2006, over 900 Candlelight coordinators planned memorials in 110 countries, reaching tens of thousands of people. The Global Health Council works with international partners to recruit and counsel community Candlelight coordinators. The Candlelight began in 1983 in the United States, at a time when little was known about HIV. Today, an estimated 25 million people have died as a result of AIDS and 40 million are currently estimated to be infected with the disease.

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I have been attending my local observance of this event for the last three years as a concerned participant and as a speaker. ~


For the last three years I have been going to our local Candlelight Memorial Service in Austin TX and sharing with the people there the hopes, dreams, concerns, challenges and triumphs of those in Africa struggling with HIV/AIDS.



I have spoke to the people at the event as a member and active volunteer for the ONE Campaign (www.one.org) and encourage people to JOIN US in our common struggle against AIDS and the extreme poverty that it breeds in.


I will be there again tomorrow night as a concerned participant and as a speaker.



I encourage you to find a local observance of the Candlelight Memorial Service in your area and join them in remembering the millions of people around the world who have already died of AIDS and to commit yourself to stop its spread asap!

 

[Jamila]

Here is some more info about our local observance of the Candlelight Memorial Service:



"This year's sponsors will be gathered together from the city & state’s presence & mayor’s declaration to the slated musical tributes and HIV/AIDS Organizations and many different individuals. Organizations as of press time include: Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council, Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC), Austin Travis County MHMR & CARE & Journey Programs, ACT UP Austin, AIDS Service of Austin (ASA), AMBUSH, The Capital City Men’s Chorus (CCMC), Community Action, Inc., and Creative Initiatives, Inc. Others are The Care Communities, The City of Austin, Daniel Link Band, David Powell Health Clinic, Defy Gravity Appeal, HEB’s of Central Texas, & The Jack Sansing Dental Clinic. Still More are The Metropolitan Community Church at Freedom Oaks (MCC), Motor Blade Postering Service, Music Makers Rental, ONE Campaign, Project Transitions, RESULTS, Rural AIDS Services Program, Sister Cities International, SHOUT Magazine, The Texas HIV Connection. Additional are The Travis County Health & Human HIV/AIDS Services, United Court of Austin, (UCA), Wright House Wellness Center, (WHWC), This Week in Texas, (TWT), Waterloo Counseling Center, & other organizations & separate individuals who care & remember.



"I am very honored that we are able to bring all aspects of our community together to help spread the word on HIV/AIDS and gain more awareness within our own backyard through "Leading a Way to a World Without AIDS," stated Eric A. Crabtree - Austin AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Coordinator. Since the HIV virus that causes AIDS was discovered in 1981, more than 28+ million people around the world have died from AIDS and around 42+ million are estimated infected today. This annual memorial service honors the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS and those living with the chronic illness. Those interested in participating to be a part of the 24th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service are asked to attend on May 20."



Hopefully you can come and join us if you're in the central Texas area tonight or find the closest Candlelight Memorial Service to you and join them in this ONE partner event.



http://www.globalhealth.org



LOVE AND PEACE. HOPE AND JOY. MERCY AND GRACE. ONE LOVE.

 

[Jamila]

I'm off to start the day - hope some of you will participate in this very important event today.


Here are the specifics for our local event :


INTERNATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE coincides with services in 93 countries today, honoring those who've passed away and celebrating the lives of those who live with HIV/AIDS. Join in for an evening of prayer, remembrances, music, spoken word, and more. 8-9:30pm. Republic Square Park, Fourth & Guadalupe, Austin TX.

 

[Jamila]

Thanks to those of you who showed up last night in your
Inspi(red) t-shirts to support this ONE partner event and to remember the millions who have lost their lives to AIDS.


Thanks also for being willing to help us locally spread the message of ONE.

 

[Jamila]

If any of you are in our area tomorrow night, we would love to see you here and showing your support for ONE!

This has already been posted in our local community newspapers.



What: Austin Africa Network monthly meeting
When: Monday, June 4th -- 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Where: Dominican Joes - 515 S. Congress Ave.

Who: Debbie Kreuser, member of The ONE Campaign


Debbie will be showing " Coming to Say Goodbye " about the AIDS crisis and associated poverty in Africa. It is told from the vantage of AIDS victims, their families, and health care workers.

After that, Debbie will talk about the ONE Campaign and what we are doing to make extreme poverty history in Africa so that Africa's children won't have to face an uncertain future. June 16 is the "International Day of the African Child" as that is the start of the 1976 Soweto uprisings in South Africa.

Learn about the problems and the solutions. What could be more empowering?
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And right before the G8 summit in Germany - there couldn't have been better timing.

 

[Jamila]

 

[Jamila]

I just wanted to update y'all that we had a VERY SUCCESSFUL meeting this past Monday night.


We had about 25 people who turned out to view the movie and to hear how to help end extreme poverty in the world, especially in Africa.


I added twenty more people to ONE by signing them up to our campaign and our Austin Africa Network made a few more contact for future speakers and outreach in our community!


ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE - debbie

 

[Jamila]

Here are the specifics about the "Global Harmony" music festival going on next weekend at La Ruta Maya:

http://www.rutamaya .net/



GLOBAL HARMONY


World Music Celebration of Africa
A 2-Day Music, Culture & Community Event
10% of CD Sales Go to Non-Profit Organizations
With Works in Africa
Admission $12 Per Day
Or $18 for Both Days


Friday, June 22
Sabaya
Djembabes
Lannaya Workshop Performance
Oliver Rajamani
Atash

Saturday, June 23
Sabaya
Rattletree
Djembe Kan
Lannaya
Atash



The ONE booth will be set up and ready to collect signatures by
7:00pm Friday night and by 6:00pm Saturday night. I'm planning to
keep the booth going until at least 12:00am.



So if you want to help ONE and listen to some EXCELLENT local
African-centered music, then this is for you!



Hope to see some of you at this African music festival this weekend - for the People of Africa and for ONE!

 

[Jamila]

http://www.rutamaya.net

 

[Jamila]

Here is the latest info on our next Austin Africa Network meeting tonight. (ONE is part of our local effort for Africa.)


If you're in the Austin area, we invite you to come and learn how you can directly help children who have been orphaned by AIDS in Zambia as well as what we are planning for International Whiteband Day in October for ONE.



Have a Beautiful Day! Please don't let it get away!



What: Austin Africa Network monthly meeting

When: Monday, August 6th -- 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Where: Dominican Joes - 515 S. Congress Ave.
Who: Deanna Fahey
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RAISING RESPONSIBLE WORLD CITIZENS: TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT POVERTY
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Deanna Fahey of "Raising the Children", an organization dedicated to helping AIDS orphans in Zambia, will be the presenter at the first anniversary meeting of the Austin Africa Network, an organization dedicated to a positive future for the African Continent. Deanna is also a teacher who brings issues of poverty to her classroom.


The meeting is free and open to the public. Party favors provided!