In Pandemic: My Country Is On It’s Knees, Stephen Lewis describes Africa as a continent once full of “vitality, growth and boundless expectations” but now ravaged by the pandemic of AIDS. His essay is intended as a letter to the rest of world that we not forget his beloved Africa. He vividly tells the stories of these desperate people. He expresses his disappointment by the abandonment of other nations.
In the beginning of his essay, Lewis reminisces about a continent that he has always had a love affair for. He worked in Africa for a few years, predominately at universities, before returning to Canada in 1961. He describes a country that was full of life, enthusiasm, care, and very welcoming. Lewis goes on to describe the devastating effects that AIDS is having on the continent. The vibrant continent he once knew is desperate for help. The most powerful example he uses is when he describes the “child headed households”. It is hard to comprehend that this could exist; hundreds of children, as young as eight, now the head of the household.
Lewis has written a tribute to the people of Africa; calling grandmothers the heroes of the nation. These old women in their eighties who should be resting at this stage in their lives are now the caregivers for ten, twenty children. And the children who are the most innocent victims have now become the mothers and fathers of their families. The stories of the suffering of men, women, children from full blown AIDS is heart wrenching. He describes what little health care system there was as being unable to coup with the pandemic. “There were two to every bed, head to foot, and foot to head.” He speaks about the abandonment of some of Africa’s own professionals that are desperately needed to fight the pandemic. His words are also a cry for help. For more medical professionals who are needed, as well as funding for education, awareness, food, and healthcare.
Although the pandemic seems undefeatable, Lewis ends with glimmers of hope. He speaks of the programs such as: Doctors Without Borders, PMTCT, and PMTCT plus. Because of these organizations, miracles have happened. Infants who have been born from infected mothers are HIV-negative, lives have been saved that otherwise would have been lost. With proper care, attention, and resources, there is hope for Africa; Stephen Lewis’s beloved Africa.
Is there hope for Africa?
Charlene thinks there is hope for Africa
ReplyDeleteAs long as one person believes in hope, change can occur. To say there is no hope for Africa would be a crime against humanity. If there is no hope for Africa; then there is no hope for all of us. The people of Africa should never give up hope, because the solution is simple. Africans deserve to have the same quality of life as the rest of us. We all just need to do our part and help.
I believe there is always hope. We are continuing to raise awareness and more and more people are willing to provide help through donations and volunteering. Such as I know nursing students are given the opportunity to go over and help in those areas less privileged in Africa as well as many doctors go on sabbatical to assist in Ethiopia and other areas of Africa.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine being a grandmother and caring for 10 children. It sounds impossible. How does she feed them and bathe them? Canada is doing a little more to help.
ReplyDeleteHarper told the UN, as reported Monday by CBC News, that Canada will increase its contributions to the Global Fund, which fights HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries. The government says Canada will give $540 million over three years to the fund, which already receives $150 million a year from Canada.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/09/21/un-canada-millennium-development.html#ixzz10y0Fj5hU