York Region District School Board

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York Region District School Board The Stephen
Lewis Foundation

• Working Together

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HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Africa

• The staggering facts
• 6,500 people die every day from AIDS
• 1 million die every year
• 30 million people infected with HIV/AIDS virus
• 75,000 babies born HIV positive annually
• 14 million children orphaned
• 25 million orphans projected within 5 years

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Beyond Comprehension?

• To grasp the significance
• Within a week entire populations of towns such
  as Aurora, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Kingor
  Whitchurch-Stouffville would not exist
• Entire generations are being eradicated
• The majority of the populationbetween the ages
  of 25 to 50are infected or have losttheir life
  to this disease

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Understanding the Impact

• AIDS is the most devastatingdisease humanity has
  ever faced
• Governments, health-care and social agencies have
  surpassed their capacity to cope
• AIDS is methodically eating away at the
  infrastructure of African countries
• We are only a heartbeat awayfrom this human
  catastrophe

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African Educational Experience

• Education in Africa has been fatally wounded
• Teachers are dying at an alarming rate
• Pupil/teacher ratio 561
• Eldest siblings must forego educationto become
  heads of household at12 - 14 years of age
• Children cannot attend schoolwithout proper
  uniform or books

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Who is Stephen Lewis?

• United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDSin
  Africa
• Advocate of the worlds most vulnerable
• Noted in July 5/04 issue of Time Magazine as
  Canadian Hero for his tireless efforts
• Seeking to provide the necessaryresources and
  hope to thosein dire need

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Making A York Region Connection

• We unite in our purpose to inspire and
• prepare learners for life in our
• changing world community.
• We are members of a global community
• We recognize the impact to African children
• We have the ability to easeanguish and cultivate
  hope

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Making A York Region Connection

• We are a Board where Character Matters
• We have an opportunity to demonstrateour
  character attributes
• We are a Board with a proud tradition of generous
  support for charitable causes
• We are a community that cares
• We can make a difference!

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Our Goals

• Harness the power of our students, staff and
• school communities to
• Raise awareness of this pandemic in Africa
• Sustain this awareness andunderstanding through
  carefulconsideration of our curriculum

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Our Goals

• Harness the power of our students, staff and
• school communities to
• Work with the York Region Committeeto Support
  The Stephen Lewis Foundation
• Encourage fundraising projects

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Our Goals

• Through fundraising efforts, aid the orphaned
  children in South Africa to provide
• Sufficient nourishment
• Provisions for school uniforms and books
• Provisions for medicine
• Hope for a brighter future

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Call to Action

• Raise Your Awareness UnderstandingVisit the
  Stephen Lewis Foundation website to learn more
  about HIV/AIDS
• Demonstrate Compassion GoodwillOrganize or
  support a local fundraising campaign
• Spread the WordInspire and motivate othersto
  get involved

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For More Information Visit

• The Stephen Lewis Foundation
• www.stephenlewisfoundation.org
• The York Region Committee in Supportof the
  Stephen Lewis Foundation
• www.york4stephenlewis.ca

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Working Together
We can make a difference! Thank you.
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