Increasing awareness in the Portland community is one of the main goals of Africa AIDS Response. Through education, outreach, and direct connections, we hope to make the distance between Mutare and Portland seem just a little smaller.
Involving Schools and Students
Since 2001, we have provided outreach and education to various schools coupled with school supply drives, pen pal programs and cash drives to support the St. Werburgh's primary school and orphans. 6 local middle and high school students and 2 teachers are part of the 2008 delegation to visit Zimbabwe. In August 2009, Oregon Episcopal School will be taking a leadership role in outreach with new Zimbabwean student Kudzai at the helm.
Community Mural Project
In 2007, with the help of students, community volunteers and individuals infected with HIV, a mural was painted on the corner of NE Grand and Broadway. Designed by Heidi Schultz, we share the images of the Mutare Clinic and community with the message that HOPE IS VITAL and IT TAKES A PLANET TO SAVE A VILLAGE. Rhythm Traders donated their wall for the project and Starbucks kept the volunteer painters fueled.
Annual World AIDS Day Benefit
Africa AIDS Response holds an annual benefit and educational program on or around December 1st each year in honor of World AIDS Day. In addition to being our major fundraising event, it is a time when the community gathers to celebrate HIV efforts here, in Mutare and around the world.
Community Outreach and Education
Since 2000, we have provided community outreach to various organizations, companies and individuals in the Portland area through regular speaking engagements and participation in many community events. See our presentation at the World Trade Center in June 2007.
Shipping Container
In 2007, Africa AIDS Response and Oregon Health Sciences University partnered to generate and ship a donation of medical equipment, school supplies, toys, computers and clothing worth over $50,000 to the people of Mutare, Zimbabwe. This shipment of essential items provided beds for women to use during birth, refrigerators to store medications, and toys, school supplies and clothing for orphans.