Reflection and Thoughts

Global issues have an impact on everyone in some way-

In my opinion, I agree that everyone is affected in one way or another. With HIV/AIDS in Africa, if someone is HIV positive and share needles/blades, has unprotected sex, with someone outside the country, that person can spread it anywhere around the world. Once that happens, anyone can be affect around the world. Not only can they be affected, by getting HIV/AIDS, but many people around the world might know people who donate to an organization that gives to HIV/AIDS in South Africa, or volunteers in Africa, etc. Everyone is impacted, when there is a global issue.  

Everyone is capable of contributing to positive change-

I absolutely agree with this statement. Everyone can make a difference for any cause they want, wherever the cause may be located. People in anywhere in the world can donate money, supplies or volunteer, to make a positive change for HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Small actions can bring about big change-

My thoughts on this, is that a combined amount of small actions can bring a big change. For an example, just one person who donates money cannot make a major difference with the situation, in South Africa. The only way we can make a difference, for any issue, is when we work together and do small actions, but those small actions combined together is large. When that happens, we can make a big change.

Global and Local issues require a logical, problem solving approach-

I think this statement is very true. You need to think of something, that will help a local or global issue, that will help and make sense. If it is not logical for you to do something, that you think will help, it will not make a difference. You need a logical way to solve local and global issues.

Who should be responsible for finding a solution to this issue-government, corporations, individuals?

I think everybody is responsible for finding a solution for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Governments can help by starting a national plan that finds a solution. Corporations around the world can easily tell everybody about the situation in South Africa and partner with other organizations that donate to help HIV/AIDS. Also, individuals can help by telling everybody about the situation, donating, etc.

Globally, have things change for the better or remained the same over the past few decades?-

I think the issues of HIV/AIDS, in general, has improved. It is not a crime to have HIV/AIDS, in places around the world, there is treatment, and people are talking about it. HIV/AIDS has come a long way, from when it started to spread in the 80’s. There is still lots of work to be done, in places like South Africa. Globally, things have changed for the better with HIV/AIDS.

 

Global Citizen

With technology and media today, we can find information about world events, that are happening right now. With the new technology, people have discovered that there are many human rights being violated, countries with conflict, etc. We now, as a global citizen, can help put a stop to that and are able to make the world a better place.

You might be thinking, “what is a global citizen?”. Well, a global citizen is someone who thinks they are apart of a world community and their actions can contribute to helping the world community.  It is important to be a global citizen because when people around the world, unite, they can make a change for the better. For example, people around the world have come together to help the world become equal, have freedom of choice, and making the people happy. We have done this by protecting people’s human rights, environmental protection, freedom of religion, gender equity, etc.

When people around the world, become a global citizen, they take a stand with others. With so many people in our world, when we stand together, we can make a major difference in our world, for the better.

In the pursuit of improving the world, being a global citizen and being the change we want to see in the world will make more of an impact than anything else.

What YOU can do to HELP

After reading through my previous blog posts, you might be thinking, “What can I do to help?”. I know I was thinking like that when I was writing! There are many ways which you, wherever live, can do.

An organization delivering supplies in Africa.

One major way to help is to donate! Many countries have a fund that people can donate to, where the money goes toward HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Not only can you donate to a government fund, you can donate to a Non-Government Organization(NGO). The money you give to NGOs go toward many different things, depending on what NGO you donate to. The money can go to supplies like medicine, tools, technology, food, education resources ,etc.. Even if you donate just a little amount, the money will still be making a difference.

One way to help, from where you live, is to start a fundraiser to make money to donate to HIV/AIDS in Africa and get awareness to other people in your community. You can do anything for a fundraiser, like a car wash, pledges, selling a product, etc. Even if you don’t make lots of money fundraising, you will still be getting people aware of the situation in Africa in your town!

A volunteer talking to children in Africa.

Also, a big way to make a difference, is to volunteer with any organization that goes to Africa and helps people living with HIV/AIDS. When you volunteer with an organization that goes to Africa, you can be helping the people in many ways. You can help them by bringing medical supplies, food, shelter supplies, and compassion for people. If you can go on one of these trips, you will be affecting people positively in South Africa, and it will probably change your life, too.

There are also another way of helping, is buying products that have partnered with a company called RED. RED partners with major companies, like Starbucks or Apple, so when you buy certain products, a percentage of the price is donated to help HIV/AIDS in Africa. This company has raised over 315 million dollars to fighting HIV/AIDS, in Africa. An example of how this works, I am going to use Starbucks. Starbucks has created a card, called the red card, and whenever you buy a drink or food, five cents is donated to RED. It is as easy as that. You can do that with any company RED has partner with. If you want to learn more, here is the link:http://www.red.org/en/learn/partners.

There are so many ways you can help people in Africa, from the comfort of home! Even if it is just buying a Starbucks drink or going to Africa to volunteer and help there. Every little effort helps!