Africa:” Crying for Help” An AIDS Awareness story

Africa:” Crying for Help” An AIDS Awareness story

Based on the story “Pandemic: My Country is on its knees” by Stephen Lewis. Lewis has been a political broadcaster, Canadian ambassador and advisor to the U.N. A foundation was name after him, the Stephen Lewis Foundation which the main goal is to battle the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

On the first two pages of the story, Lewis tells us on how his simple life as university student changed when he decided to work as a researcher .He received a letter of invitation to attend the World Assembly of Youth in Africa. This is how his wonderful yet bitter experience in Africa begun. It is suppose to be a 7 days conference but Lewis was mesmerizes by Africa’s culture, music, hospitality and tradition that is very unique and incomparable to people living in North America. He fell in love with this country so he chose to stay longer. Because of that he needs to sacrifice and adapt himself to what are just available resources. He travel far, teaching numerous student in different remote area but this never stop him from loving them more. In fact this imperfection makes him feel closer to them. Writer described this bond as “not just durable, they were unbreakable” a strong connection that makes him stay and love Africa more.

Then AIDS, a communicable disease swept Africa into pieces. This virus affects people’s lives. Lewis also described the horrible scenarios in the adult male wards, and the pediatric ward. This is very upsetting for me for a fact that I am working in a hospital and I can’t do anything about it to help them. Lewis also emphasizes the lack of professionals, especially healthcare workers in Africa. We both agreed that we can’t blame this people for their decision to migrate and find “greener pasture”. They dream of better future in exchange of leaving their country behind in times of crisis. Lewis suggest if only local government make a better offer for them, at least they might think of staying and working for their fellowmen. He also stated that the situation gets worst because of famine, drought, insufficient funding, etc. People’s everyday life is focus on making coffin for their love ones and getting use to sooner or later somebody you know will die. The people you are with today will not be the same person you will see tomorrow. Writer wants us so see the miserable scenario, feel the pain of death in the family, and hear the moaning of dying because this is the real life, the real story in Africa.

In the last part of the story, the author said that “Africa will one day rejoice in time when families are whole and funerals are rare”. He still believes that there is still hope. If only all nations will be united to support Africa, we can make a huge difference. Together, we can surpass this dilemma in Africa for the sake of many who had lost their lives and for the children who lost their parents because of AIDS. We will soon find a cure and find a way to eradicate this pandemic disease not just for Africa but also for the future generation all over the world. I admire Mr. Lewis dedication to serve those less fortunate Africans, if you were in Mr Lewis shoes, are you going to do the same deeds? defend you answer.

Voice From Up Here, North of the 49th Parallel

Letter to America, April 14,2003, by Margaret Atwood, well known Canadian Writer.
   In the beginning of this letter, Margaret Atwood explains all the wonderful things that America introduces to all Canadians and to the rest of the world. In her 55 years of life, she clearly discussed that America left a huge impact to her starting from her early childhood to her early teens. Mickey mouse and Donald duck comic books for example,and Huckleberry Finn, Hawkeye and Beth and Jo in the Little Women, to name  few characters that left a remarkable impact in her life. As time goes by, American continues to produce more finest people and excellent masterpieces, enough for the world to adore and cherish them more.  Margaret also talks about the relationship between Canada and the U.S. She compares this closeness to be not just base on demographic land mass but the bond that connects can never be divided easily. She also perceives America to be the most powerful country in the world, the epitome of every nation.                             Then after a long while, after decades of admiration, the author realizes that there is something wrong. She felt disappointed that American government got involved in this Iraq war and bulldozing of environmental protection that affects all the citizen of America. She also emphasized  the growing debt of America and some negative political issue. The author wrote this letter not to judge them but to remind them about the consequences of each wrong decisions that they need to face right now. Sooner, U.S will suffer economic crisis or downfall. It is not too late to change and Canada will always be there to lend a helping hand and to support them. Now is the right time for America to redeem their honor and as one of the finest country again. At the end of the letter the author is still very optimistic that U.S will realize their lost so they can surpass this challenges that they are facing right now.
     For me, U.S serve as Canada's inspiration to achieve our goal and dreams.This pursue us  more to to bring out the best in us. We believe that someday,we can be as powerful as America. I just hope that this will serve as a good learning example for us, to avoid the same mistakes that they did. If this crisis happened to America, it is not impossible that it can also happen to us and to other country.Now my biggest challenge to every Canadian, if you are giving a chance to write a letter to America, what will be your message? is it going to be almost the same message as Margaret Atwood's letter?