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.