Postcards from Africa - Africa

"Postcards" showcases postcards, letters, emails, photographs, artwork, andpoems received from young people sharing their experiences living in a world heavily affected by AIDS. Young people from all over the globe can log on and read these personal stories.

The orgarnisers say many people outside Africa have heard the horrendous statistics about AIDS in Africa but few of them have heard the personal stories, the day-to-day reality of life as a young person living in Africa. They believe that people around the world want to be able to relate on a person-to-person level. People want to know how life in Africa is similar to or different from their own lives.

The project will provide local addresses for people to write to, and "postcards" can be collected onsite at local Africa Alive! events, at offices of partner groups, and at other select locations. Young people can then send their stories to these addresses or, if they have access to the Internet, they can send their information directly to postcards@africaalive.org.

The organisers say they will also try to get the stories and letters published in the local media if they originate in Africa Alive! participating countries Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Aids, communication.

In contrast to the negative, faceless statistics about AIDS seen in the mass media, Africa Alive! wants people to know about all the positive things being done in Africa to combat AIDS. "We hope that the project will open up the dialogue among young people in Africa and with the rest of the world, because dialogue and discussion are the beginning of understanding, and understanding can eventually lead to change for the better."

The organisers want to help young Africans communicate directly with other young people. So they are going to start a "Penpals" program on the website, encouraging young people in Africa to request to be linked up with youth in other countries. Whether it is as part of a youth group, school or as an individual, we encourage young people get the dialogue going! as part of a youth group, school or as an individual, we encourage young people get the dialogue going, said the organisers.

Africa Alive! is looking for brief personal stories, opinions and anecdotes about living in a world affected by AIDS.

"We want to hear about people's real experiences and how AIDS has affected their lives. But we also want to hear about the positive stories of young people doing good work in their communities in the areas of: AIDS prevention; peer education, helping others understand HIV/AIDS; caring for those living with AIDS in the family or in the community at large; and raising awareness of AIDS in the community. We are especially interested in hearing from young Africans who are living with HIV/AIDS."

Short "postcards" consisting of a few sentences are welcome. But, if young people have longer stories to tell and like to write, they are encouraged to write more.