Offering a fighting chance
■ Question: How can women in poverty remain hopeful that a beautiful future lies ahead?
■ Answer: By maximizing resources and tools provided by Canadian volunteers. Women are the face of HIV and AIDS in many parts of the world and since healthcare is considered a luxury, this disease has created widespread poverty. The World University Service of Canada (WUSC), in partnership with the Uniterra program, work tirelessly to inspire change. These two organizations provide education and training to improve livelihoods, balance inequities and promote health. Although these initiatives are progressive, without the dedication and commitment from volunteers, tackling economic challenges is impossible. Thus far 2,300 Canadian men and women have volunteered internationally. In result, 470,000 people in developing countries have improved their living conditions. But the problem still remains and more help is needed. according to UNAIDS, 34 million people are living with HIV, of which approximately 22.5 million live in Sub-saharan Africa. Half of the people infected are women.
Turning frustration into motivation
Access to healthcare, medication and testing for HIV and AIDS is limited and without the tools to combat this pandemic, women are at high risk of facing many challenges. “In most cases, infected women are re- jected by their husband and family,” states Fatimata Lankoande, WUSC country director in Burkina Faso. Destitution effects economic selfsufficiency, education, and health, but through a microloan provided by affiliated organizations such as l’association Solidarite Entraide Mutuelle au Sahel (SEMUS),A promising future lies ahead. SEMUS aids entrepreneurship groups to train and help women create their own business. One of which is Sanata Compaore, an Hiv-positive, 40-year-old widow, who is now the only caregiver for her family. Through this program she was awarded 50 000 francs, equivalent to one hundred Canadian dollars,and has since more than doubled it by providing services such as selling condiments, beans and carrying wood on her bike. Cur- rently,she is able to afford treatment and take care of her family. Support from Canadian volunteers makes a significant difference and success stories, like Sanata’s illustrate how a little goes a long way.