CAITLIN WHITE
Staff Writer
The student organization Acting on AIDS welcomed Princess Zulu, a World Vision spokesperson, to campus to speak on AIDS activism at Wednesday morning convocation as part of AIDS Awareness week to involve students in global efforts to fight the epidemic.
The Zambian native is not actually a princess. It is her Christian name and this is her second year speaking at Pepperdine about the importance of student involvement on the issue of AIDS. The Convocation with Zulu is just one of the many events happening on the Pepperdine campus during the second annual AIDS Awareness week sponsored by Acting on AIDS.
Ara Rustad, a senior, is one of the primary organizers for the week.
“I grew up in Tanzania, so I knew a lot about it, and I want to help Pepperdine people realize it’s a huge problem,” she said.
Acting on AIDS was started last year by seniors Kelly Charleston and Wondirad Assesawe. According to Rustad, Wondirad’s sister died of AIDS and Charleston lobbied in Washington for AIDS legislation.
Although AIDS is an international epidemic, Zulu said Americans do not have the same sense of urgency as those in Africa.
“Do you think you think about AIDS every day?” said Zulu, who is HIV positive. “For those with AIDS, we don’t have the choice, it is something we have to deal with on a daily basis.”
“Listening to her talk in Convo on Wednesday morning was so moving,” Sophomore Sydney Latta said. “This woman lives in the very heart of where the problem is, and she is trying to reach out and save others around her.”
The week kicked off with a Monday night Convo in the Stauffer Chapel.
“It was really informing and eye- opening,” freshman Rachel Shipp said. “The focus was on our role in the crisis, as Christians, what we should be doing, and I never quite thought of that before, so it was good.”
The hour-long service consisted of Scripture reading, worship and prayer, with emphasis on a Christian’s role in responding to the crisis of AIDS. There was also a presentation from Acting on AIDS urging others to get involved.
Tuesday featured activities ranging from political advocacy opportunity to artistic expression. Students could go to the Sandbar or the fountain area to sign a letter being sent to Congressional representatives alerting them to the fact that their constituents are concerned about AIDS.
This opportunity was available again today for those who missed it Tuesday.
“It was really cool to go and do something that was actually going to make a difference,” junior Marco Matthews said. “It only took me one minute to sign the letter, and I was able to potentially impact legislation that will help combat this crucial issue.”
Students were also welcome to paint at the fountain, a creative way to express concern for the HIV virus’ spread.
“Our goal is just to make everybody on campus understand that this isn’t an issue where it is just people from International Studies major or a pre-med major, you can be involved in AIDS awareness no matter what your major, no matter who you are,” Rustad said.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, the Student Health Center is offering free and anonymous HIV testing. If you are interested, call ext. 4316 for an appointment.
Also today, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sandbar, several Pepperdine musicians will be utilizing their talents to raise awareness for the global spread of HIV and AIDS.
“I am planning to go hear the music,” sophomore Nathan Lyon said. “I think it’s the perfect mix of entertainment and serious issues.”
Friday is the pinnacle of the week’s events with the annual “Kappa King” event, a male beauty pageant, put on by the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. All the money raised from the event will be given to Acting on AIDS. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in Elkins Auditorium
“I think the most important things for students to realize is that AIDS is an issue where it can be prevented, its not like poverty where it’s already there, its not like trafficking that is ingrained in a culture,” Rustad said. “AIDS can be stopped if awareness is raised, and there is prevention is implanted.”
03-29-2007