It Takes a Village: The Power of Community

Comment

It Takes a Village: The Power of Community

"Imagine a land where you cannot trust the politicians (the most recent president is in jail and the vice president stepped down). Imagine a place where it is expected that any police officer can be bribed and the rule of law can be bought. Who do you turn to during a time of need? In Guatemala, it is the Bomberos."

Comment

Can Traveling Make You a Better Person?

Comment

Can Traveling Make You a Better Person?

"That open-mindedness does not necessitate geographical travel, but rather, traveling into a new perspective. The world is ever-changing and whether one remains in Fargo, North Dakota, or travels the world their whole life, open-mindedness relies on us altering the angles from which we view our world."

Comment

Oh the People You’ll Meet

Comment

Oh the People You’ll Meet

"Perhaps the energy I felt was a reflection of their energy – the energy radiated to redefine HIV and what it means to have the virus or live with its syndrome counterpart."

Comment

AIDS 2016

Comment

AIDS 2016

What if I told you I was a citizen?
A citizen of a universe
A universe like no other
No other place could match it
Match its harmony and freedom
Freedom of speech, sexual orientation and status
Status of being HIV positive or negative,
Black or white, gay, straight or bisexual
Male, female or transgender

What if I told you how life changing it was
It was a hub of information, truth and dreams
Dreams of reaching 90-90-90 goals
Goals where we want to end HIV/AIDS as a pandemic by 2030
2030 – 2016 equals 14 years of dedication
Dedication to advocacy, activism, relentless volunteerism, access
Access to reproductive health commodities, to medication

What if I told you that I was in a room full of people?
People whose passion for fighting this war against HIV/AIDS is unmatched
We matched, yes we did, screaming ‘Sex work is work’
F Word
Proclaiming ‘Treat All’
H Word
Everybody is got a right to be who they are
And yes we said everybody who walks through those doors is entitled to treatment!

I mean all we do is debase each other
I see all we do is discriminate against each other
I’m whisper ‘NO NO NO, lets love each other’
To my colleague, sharing these chairs with one another
On stage Elton John preaching ‘Let’s come together’
Our Benoni girl pleading ‘let’s not have another’
Coz we already had the other
Twice, SA host International AIDS conference

What if I told you I’m still a citizen of that universe?
And that I am of the generation
That will end HIV/AIDS

 

 

Comment