Dance benefit in Tennessee to raise money for Knysna Aids Council in Africa
Anne Whitworth - Staff Writer Daily Beacon
Students will have a chance to dance for a cause this Friday evening at the World Grotto as part of the Honors Council's "Aid for Africa" benefit.
The dance is the second annual benefit held by the Honors Council. Last year, the gala raised more than $1,000 for the Northern Uganda Girls Education Network, a nonprofit agency that focuses on educating and counseling girls in response to political violence.
The committee shifted its focus this year, partnering with the Rotary Club of Knoxville, The University of Tennessee's Rotaract Club, Amnesty International, the International House and the African Student Association to raise money for the Knysna AIDS Council in Knysna, South Africa.
The Knysna AIDS Council is a non-governmental association. Although it receives some money from the government, it is still largely dependent on donations and volunteers.
The council's services include hosting awareness and prevention workshops; delivering supplies daily to local soup kitchens, schools and clinics; providing supplies to families and schools in the community affected by AIDS and HIV; and raising money. The council also runs a program called the "Mother to Child Transmission Program," which offers HIV tests to pregnant women and medication to those testing positive, reducing the risk of a mother transmitting HIV to her unborn child.
"Its specific purpose is to provide education and prevent poverty for children who have lost their parents or family member to AIDS. They are forced to work for the rest of their lives or help out family members or provide for their younger siblings, so they're missing out on their chance to be educated and to live a decent life," Erin Bernstein, a sophomore in global studies, said.
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS, stated in its "2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic" that AIDS funding requirements for low- and middle-income countries for 2006 totaled $14.9 billion. UNAIDS projected in the same report that the total funding requirement for 2007 and 2008 will be $18.1 billion and $22.1 billion, respectively. Funding requirements were established on the following categories: prevention, care and treatment, support for orphans and vulnerable children, program costs and human resources. Africa accounts for 29 percent of total funding needs.
The Rotary Club of Knoxville agreed to match all funds raised at the benefit.
During the course of the evening, attendees can expect a performance by West African dancers and drummers, speeches, food, a silent auction and a disc jockey. Awareness tables will provide information about the AIDS Council. The auction will include items from gift certificates to a football signed by Phillip Fulmer to a two-night stay at a vacation getaway called Mosaic Farms in Hermanus, South Africa.
Dress for the event is semi-formal. Bernstein suggested cocktail dresses for women and suits and ties for men. She also encouraged attendees to wear red because it is the color of most AIDS awareness programs.
Mona Sheth, a junior in political science and Spanish and the director of the Honors Events Committee, said she was impressed with how last year's benefit turned out.
"We had this vision, and we had a drive to do it, and we didn't know if the money and the advertisements would come through ... In the end, it was a matter of people hearing about it and showing up and making it a success."
Sheth said she hopes people will come again this year and support the cause.
"It's a really important issue - a current issue in our world today - and even the most basic help they can give us goes an infinite amount in Africa ... (and) can bring hope and solace for people in that part of the world."
The gala will be held Friday from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at the World Grotto, at 16 Market Square. Tickets are $10 at the door with a student ID.
Anne Whitworth - Staff Writer Daily Beacon
Students will have a chance to dance for a cause this Friday evening at the World Grotto as part of the Honors Council's "Aid for Africa" benefit.
The dance is the second annual benefit held by the Honors Council. Last year, the gala raised more than $1,000 for the Northern Uganda Girls Education Network, a nonprofit agency that focuses on educating and counseling girls in response to political violence.
The committee shifted its focus this year, partnering with the Rotary Club of Knoxville, The University of Tennessee's Rotaract Club, Amnesty International, the International House and the African Student Association to raise money for the Knysna AIDS Council in Knysna, South Africa.
The Knysna AIDS Council is a non-governmental association. Although it receives some money from the government, it is still largely dependent on donations and volunteers.
The council's services include hosting awareness and prevention workshops; delivering supplies daily to local soup kitchens, schools and clinics; providing supplies to families and schools in the community affected by AIDS and HIV; and raising money. The council also runs a program called the "Mother to Child Transmission Program," which offers HIV tests to pregnant women and medication to those testing positive, reducing the risk of a mother transmitting HIV to her unborn child.
"Its specific purpose is to provide education and prevent poverty for children who have lost their parents or family member to AIDS. They are forced to work for the rest of their lives or help out family members or provide for their younger siblings, so they're missing out on their chance to be educated and to live a decent life," Erin Bernstein, a sophomore in global studies, said.
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS, stated in its "2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic" that AIDS funding requirements for low- and middle-income countries for 2006 totaled $14.9 billion. UNAIDS projected in the same report that the total funding requirement for 2007 and 2008 will be $18.1 billion and $22.1 billion, respectively. Funding requirements were established on the following categories: prevention, care and treatment, support for orphans and vulnerable children, program costs and human resources. Africa accounts for 29 percent of total funding needs.
The Rotary Club of Knoxville agreed to match all funds raised at the benefit.
During the course of the evening, attendees can expect a performance by West African dancers and drummers, speeches, food, a silent auction and a disc jockey. Awareness tables will provide information about the AIDS Council. The auction will include items from gift certificates to a football signed by Phillip Fulmer to a two-night stay at a vacation getaway called Mosaic Farms in Hermanus, South Africa.
Dress for the event is semi-formal. Bernstein suggested cocktail dresses for women and suits and ties for men. She also encouraged attendees to wear red because it is the color of most AIDS awareness programs.
Mona Sheth, a junior in political science and Spanish and the director of the Honors Events Committee, said she was impressed with how last year's benefit turned out.
"We had this vision, and we had a drive to do it, and we didn't know if the money and the advertisements would come through ... In the end, it was a matter of people hearing about it and showing up and making it a success."
Sheth said she hopes people will come again this year and support the cause.
"It's a really important issue - a current issue in our world today - and even the most basic help they can give us goes an infinite amount in Africa ... (and) can bring hope and solace for people in that part of the world."
The gala will be held Friday from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at the World Grotto, at 16 Market Square. Tickets are $10 at the door with a student ID.
Aid For Africa Benefit
On the 17th of November 2006, an event was organised in Tennesse, USA, to raise funds to be donated to Knysna Aids Council. This Aid for Afica dance benefit was organised by members of the Knoxville Rotary Club in partnership with the University of Tennessee's Honors Council and other ogrnanisations.
The dance benefit was a great success and they managed to raise a fair amount of money, which will now be matched by the Rotary Club of Knoxville.
Erin, Lauren and Michael spent one day with the Council, visiting projects such as Madgaleentjie's Pre-primary school and also witnessing the day-to-day running of the office. The students were very touched by what they experienced and decided they wanted to do something to help the Council and its projects. After chatting to the Rotary Club in Knoxville, fellow students at the University of Tennesse, they came up with the idea of organising a dance with "Africa" as a theme, to raise money for Knysna Aids Council.
The dance turned out to be very successful and this prroves how much people's willpower and dedication can help organsitions and projects such as KAC. Erin Bernstein is now still working hard to raise more money, contacting various Rotary Clubs across South Africa.
On the 17th of November 2006, an event was organised in Tennesse, USA, to raise funds to be donated to Knysna Aids Council. This Aid for Afica dance benefit was organised by members of the Knoxville Rotary Club in partnership with the University of Tennessee's Honors Council and other ogrnanisations.
The dance benefit was a great success and they managed to raise a fair amount of money, which will now be matched by the Rotary Club of Knoxville.
Erin, Lauren and Michael spent one day with the Council, visiting projects such as Madgaleentjie's Pre-primary school and also witnessing the day-to-day running of the office. The students were very touched by what they experienced and decided they wanted to do something to help the Council and its projects. After chatting to the Rotary Club in Knoxville, fellow students at the University of Tennesse, they came up with the idea of organising a dance with "Africa" as a theme, to raise money for Knysna Aids Council.
The dance turned out to be very successful and this prroves how much people's willpower and dedication can help organsitions and projects such as KAC. Erin Bernstein is now still working hard to raise more money, contacting various Rotary Clubs across South Africa.
Left to Right
Duncan Rollason, Erin Bernstein, Millicent Seela, Lauren Bernstein, Michael Ahillen, Sunshine (Mtutuzeli) Rolisisu, Chapita Chima, Susan (Nomvulo) Molo.
Duncan Rollason, Erin Bernstein, Millicent Seela, Lauren Bernstein, Michael Ahillen, Sunshine (Mtutuzeli) Rolisisu, Chapita Chima, Susan (Nomvulo) Molo.
It was in July 2006 that Erin Bernstein, Lauren Bernstein and Michael Ahillen from the Rotary Club in Knoxville, Tennessee, came to South Africa to visit the local Rotary Club in Knysna. Knysna Rotary has helped Knysna Aids Council on various occasions, donating diapers and IT equipement, and asked Millicent if these American students could come and meet KAC's staff.
Rotary Volunteers