Last week, the ONE Twin Cities group joined in on Minnesota’s “African World AIDS Day” or AWAD .

During the event, a large number of African and local community organizations queued up to table and share their domestic and international goals for fighting HIV/AIDS. The groups provided resources, such as free and confidential HIV testing, legal services, and more. The ONE Twin Cities Group was warmly re-welcomed by all at AWAD, and we were pleased to share how ONE works to raise awareness about extreme poverty and preventable diseases. We also talked about how ONE successfully lobbies our elected leaders for universal access to medications. Of special note was ONE members work earlier this year to help reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or “PEPFAR.”

After an ethnic lunch, attendees heard experts and survivors share insights about ending HIV/AIDS stigma, and Musicians like Mukamba and Munnah LIB Princess shared their talents. Along with comedy from the AWAD presenters, the event was very uplifting and positive.

I am so energized by the strength and excitement shown by my fellow ONE volunteers who participated in last week’s AWAD event. From the new volunteers to those who have been around for a while now, I can see that all ONE’s volunteers are truly dedicated. Below are the thoughts of the ONE volunteers who participated in Minnesota’s AWAD event. I hope that through their experiences, other ONE members can take away a new perspective, thought, or idea, and that they will consider taking action in their own communities.

“Because of the event that ONE was a part of, I was able to learn about the issues surrounding AIDS and my power to change and make a difference on this devastating global disease.” Ifrah Mansour

“Volunteering at the booth really brought greater awareness to an issue that I have not deeply explored. It felt really good to volunteer for my first time – and to fight for an issue so much bigger than myself” Ka Wan Olson

“Something that I will remember from today’s event is the woman that spoke who is living with HIV and how she was not ashamed of or trying to hide her illness. She was not proud of it either though; she is just living. She is, however, using it as an opportunity to teach and send a valuable and powerful message, and it was apparent that she takes pride in that. I think everyone could learn a lesson from her, not only about HIV/AIDS prevention but how to truly take lemons and make lemonade.” Reena Dhake

“ONE thing I learned at the event today is the true definition of “health”. Health is not necessarily being disease free. Health is well being – cultural, social, spiritual well being. Even people who live with disease such as HIV/AIDS can be “healthy” if they focus on and get support for their well being” Tzviatko Chiderov

“Having someone living with HIV speak made it real.” Kim Kokett

“AWAD left me with a positive feeling to get out there and take action and advocate for universal access to medicines and prevention methods. The two questions I am asking myself after this year’s event were prompted from hearing the keynote speaker, Dr. Alvin Killough, who paraphrased from many African heroes during his address. “What role will you take (in effecting a change in HIV/AIDS and making a difference in the lives of others)?” and “Are you prepared (to embrace this struggle and offer hope to others)?” As I listened to his speech, I thought these were excellent questions that any novice ONE volunteer to expert ONE advocate might take a few moments to consider, at whatever level they are comfortable with. I think anyone involved with ONE should recognize that their actions, no matter how little or how big, can make an impact in the lives of others living thousands of miles away in conditions which are difficult for us to imagine. Regardless to how pre-planned they may seem, adding our personal names to mass emails directed towards our elected leaders, tabling at a concert, reaching out to others at an event, meeting with our elected leaders, and more, all have a compound effect for change. Whatever role in ONE you choose, I believe it’s worth the time and effort. I know that I personally am following a path through ONE that will (hopefully) allow me to affect the most positive change in the lives of other mothers and children who live more than an ocean away from me, to give children a chance for an education, woman a way to empowerment, fathers a fair wage, and individuals access to lifesaving medications (and more, of course!). Finally, without trying to trivialize the whole of the original speech, I’d like to answer the second question posed by Dr. Killough by paraphrasing both him and a true African hero, Nelson Mandela – “I am ready.” I hope many more ONE members are ready as well.”

-Rochelle Gibbs, ONE Member Twin Cities