USAID

From all the research I have been finding, it is not hard to conclude that Africa cannot handle the AIDS epidemic alone. Organizations, such as USAID, are doing their part in helping with the crisis in the US and Africa. USAID assists African governments by introducing more health, environment, and education ideas. They work hard to strengthen organizations in Africa and create a stable, growing economy. This organization realizes that education is key to prevention, so funds support teacher training. Text books and scholarships are given to the children. I can only imagine how special things like this mean to the kids. The USAID funds also help other organizations work on improving sanitation and conservation. There are many opportunities to be involved in the HIV/AIDS crisis. By spreading the word and doing a small part, things can change. The US government assists 47 African countries, but without the help of groups like USAID, our government wouldn't be nearly enough support.

AIDS in africa

AIDS is a major problem facing many nations today. Did you know that in 2007 there were 32.8 million people living with AIDS? Poor countries are hit especially hard with this disease. From the article Hazardous to Health: The World Bank and IMF in Africa by Ann-Louis Colgan, I learned many things I had never known before. She explained that in the 60's and 70's, African countries were progressing in making health care available to the citizens. The countries hit an ecomonic downfall in the 80's and started depending on IMF and World Bank, which are powerful economic and financial institutions. This actually caused the countries an increasing debt and a cutback in the amount of health care provided. Since then, the debt has piled up and the countries have fallen deep into poverty. The poor cannot afford health care. Because of the poor qualities of living, such as unclean water, the people are very succeptable to disease. As Colgan stated, "..the World Bank and IMF have had a disasterous impact on Africa's health." After reading the article, I feel that if these organizations hadn't stepped in the way they did, health care would have been better off. Things need to change. 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing countries. The government needs to look aside of money and realize that lives need to be saved and help needs to be given to those suffering. Instead, health care and medications are currently unaffordable to the poor people of Africa.

Africa

I am going to be writing an essay for college writing about worldwide disease. Actually, this can relate to my blog topic as well. YL has many opportunities to be involved with and my friend Aly went on a YL mission trip to Africa last summer (2008). The purpose of the trip was to run a Young Life camp for the poor African children. Everyone is aware of the disease present in Africa, so I was curious how she dealt with this on her trip. When asked why she decided to go on the YL trip, Aly responded that she wanted to "experience Africa's culture and people." She stated that she was exposed to a whole orphanage of sick people. She saw many HIV+ children and saw sickness everywhere. Malaria is a common disease in Africa which is spread by mosquitos. I researched that in some areas of Africa, it kills 2700 per day! Of course, Aly was exposed to this, so she had to take Malaria pills constantly. Her pills began 2 months before, lasted during the trip, and finally stopped three months after. She had various shots for other illnesses she could aquire while in Africa. I can imagine that this 17 day long trip was lifechanging. Aly said her new experience made her realize how much better we live. If Moline was taking the trip again this summer, she would love to attend! I think it would be awesome and I would LOVE to do something like this. There are fundraisers to help with the cost. While Aly received the trip as a christmas gift from family, fundraisers are a great option to make the experience more affordable!
Thanks Aly:)

CLUB

Based off of Carly's comment on my last post, I think some people are confused about what exactly a typical YL club is all about. She sounded a little confused about what happens at 8:08. That's when club officially starts, which is a random time, but usually kids hangout a little before. Arriving at 8, or earlier, is a good time to show up because everyone is waiting outside the club room doors. When the music turns on, or the leaders burst open the doors at 8:08, everyone piles into the club room. Each club has a different theme that games revolve around. This also means the leaders, and sometimes kids, are dressed the part. If you check out this site, you will see different club games and all the planning that goes into a club, the themes, and activities. Right after everyone enters club, the leaders will explain a game the whole group can play, since kids tend to arrive late. After club has gotten started, the leaders do small skits and introduce the "mixers." These are quick games which usually involve just a few people who volunteer to go up on stage. Be prepared to chug a liter of pop, eat something gross, get a pie in the face, or challenge someone in a hard core game if you volunteer! After some fun, there's got to be some singing! If your vocal chords are a little rusty, it doesn't matter at YL. Being out of tune is the way to go. Once things settle down, a leader goes on stage and shares a story from the Bible and sometimes a funny story to go along with it. The message is never boring because it's pretty brief and easy to relate to. After that, club is over and everyone either lingers around or makes a mad dash to Whiteys. YL usually gets over at around 9:15 or so. (Incase you have an early bed time and wanted to know.)
So theres a more detailed description of club! :)
Peace.

Getting Involved :)

It's really easy to get involved with YL in the QC. I know that many of you who have read my past blogs are saying that YL sounds like a good time, so maybe you should give it a try! Like I said, it's easy to get involved! First of all, whether you know me or not, just come up and ask about YL. It's at 8:08 every Monday night at The Life Center on 41st st. (I know that is a wierd time and I can't tell you why it starts then..)YL is the type of place that any high school student can go and fit in. Don't be shy to show up there. Noone will give you a dirty look and the leaders are very welcoming people. They like to make a fool of themselves at club so don't feel awkward if they come up to you and are acting crazy. All you, as a high school student, need to do is show up. This isn't just my advice. This web page starts off by saying that's the #1 way to get involved. It's ok to just show up to YL. Bring a friend, or better yet, a BUNCH of friends with you. Young Life is ten times more fun when there are a lot of people there! It's always fun when a new group of friends joins YL.
I suggest that any high schooler come and try it out. You don't have to go back if you absolutely don't like it. Being involved has great benefits, though. I have made so many close friends, and this includes leaders. Did I already mention camp? YL camps are the best!! There's another reason right there to go to YL. Also, don't let the religious aspect of Young Life hold you back from going. At club, religion is laid back, easy to understand, and not forced at you. I hope to see new faces at Young Life this year!! :)

YL CAMP

First of all, if you're in high school, you need to go to YL camp! It's SUCH an awesome experience. Forget about the cost.. there are fundraisers for that! There are camps all over the country and your YL area decides what one to attend that summer. Camps are a week long and campers take a charter bus there. (Don't let a loooong ride stop you from going.. I went to Colorado and that took like 19 hours.) I've gone to camps in Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, and Colorado. At camp you eat the most amazing food! Waitors actually bring it to you, unlike typical camps. The cabins are all super nice and the camp sites are beautiful! At camp you might go tubing, banana boating, parasailing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, or rock climbing. Also, the high ropes courses and the big swing are very fun! As you can see, each camp has so many different activities to offer.
Beside all the freetime, there are awesome "clubs" at camp. At club, everyone sings songs and watches skits. Also, an amazing speaker tells life changing things at camp that bring each and everyone closer to God. I always leave feeling changed. I know a lot of people feel "iffy" about the word "changed" but trust me, it's a good change. :) After going to camp in 8th grade, I always made sure to go every summer! Heres the "Timberwolf Lake" site. This is the first YL camp I attended. Whenever I go to camp, I never want the week to be over!

Capernaum

Young Life has many options for involvement. An adult can become a leader and part of the YL staff. A middle school student can start Wyldlife in 7th grade. A high school student can get involved with Young Life. A teen with a disability can go to Capernaum club. Young Life also has camps all over the country! After starting Wyldlife in 8th grade and staying involved with YL all through high school, I decided to become a Jr. leader last year. Now, I could choose to either be a Wyldlife or Capernaum leader, and I stuck with Capernaum. I knew it would be an experience that was something very different from what I was used to. I'm really glad I chose it, too. I get to plan the club themes and activities and run the games. I've built close relationships with many of the kids and have learned that teens with disabilities are just like us. (They just really want to be accepted and it's easier to do than you would think.) Capernaum clubs are held on Thursdays at my school and I look forward to them just as much as YL on Mondays! It requires time and commitment but it's worth it. A site about Capernaum states that "Capernaum clubs give kids and young adults with disabilities a chance to get out and have fun with peers and leaders." The site not only gives info about clubs and being a leader, but it also briefly tells about Capernaum camp. In later blogs, ill share my experiences with going to camp as a leader!