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OPAA throws bash
By Marcus O�Neil
 Media Credit: Christin Osgood Shefiu Shonibare (left) dances with Anchinesh Ejigu, president of OPAA, at the Heart to Heart Bash Thursday night in the Atwood Quarry. The bash was held as a fund-raiser for OPAA, and all proceeds went to AIDS organizations in Africa.
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Red balloons, red ribbons and red-hot music greeted those who attended the OPAA Heart to Heart Bash Thursday night at the Atwood Quarry.
OPAA (Organization of Prevention of Aids in Africa) was established by students in 2001 to help combat the growing AIDS epidemic in Africa.
The event was put on in cooperation with OPAA Jam Week. Traditionally, Jam Week is the last week in November, but party members wanted to try and coincide this year's event with Valentine's Day.
The organization raised more than $6,000 last year. Its commitment to fund-raising is not limited to one night.
"What we do is fast for 24 hours and people pledge more. We do car washes and snow shoveling and this year, so far, we have raised $10,000," said SCSU OPAA president Anchinesh Ejigu.
The money is sent to different organizations in Africa. The committee members decide which country to donate to. Last year it chose to help Kenya, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda.
The countries that receive money typically send back thank you cards and receipts to show how the money was spent.
"Mostly the Sub-Sahara in Africa is being hit the hardest," events coordinator Chipo Margangwand said.
AIDS has surpassed malaria as the number one killer disease in the Sub-Sahara. It is estimated that there are 29 million people living with AIDS in that country alone. Furthermore, two-thirds of children born in Zambia or Zimbabwe are likely to die from AIDS. Of those who survive, most are orphaned. It is estimated that of the 13 million children orphaned by AIDS, roughly 10 million of those are in the Sub-Sahara alone.
The numbers can seem too big to overcome, and that may stop some people from reaching out.
"AIDS affects everybody, sometimes it's a far away thing you hear, but it affects every community and people want to help, but they don' t know where to start. We also think it's important to educate the people at SCSU," Chipo said.
"The more people know about it, the more they know that people are dying. They can't even imagine that millions of people are dying," said Estella Thorpe.
OPAA believes that with prevention and education, they can help numbers decline.
Help out
If you would like more information on how you can help, e-mail [email protected] or attend regular meetings in Atwood Tuesdays at 5pm (rooms may change due to construction)
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