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WAD 2008: CAFOD’s supporting a local dance group in the slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, called ‘Adugna’ which means ‘fate’. And it’s changing the fates of all those who come into contact with their moves!… Talented young dancers here have won international acclaim and their performances are also used to communicate messages about lifestyles, overcoming prejudice and HIV prevention. We meet up with a couple of the dancers to get their stories…Read more
Shiferaw Tariku has been dancing with Adugna since the group began in 1996 – when he was talent spotted! “I had no idea about contemporary dance, but my step mother and I were really struggling for money at the time. I sold ‘paper pockets’ at the market since I was 8 to help support my family after my father died, but we still never had enough, so I was fortunate to have this opportunity to learn a new skill – and it really changed my life. I love dancing, it is a good release of emotions, and I get to meet all different kinds of people. I like that we can work to encourage people to change their attitudes for the better. We get involved in anti-AIDS community groups, and in workshops about the problems associated with early marriage and female genital mutilation.”
An associated group of disabled dancers known as ‘Adugna potential’ was formed 8 years ago. Bethelem Dessyi was a little apprehensive when she got involved, “I used to be afraid to communicate and the thought of dancing with walking sticks made me nervous. But I no longer feel like that… performing so often with Adugna potential has strengthened my body and my attitude!”
WAD 2008: Big Deal met up with Phanna(18) He’s from a small village in Cambodia, and both his mum and dad died of AIDS-related illnesses when he was still a kid. There's a lot of povery where he lives, and he's really struggled to survive… But CAFOD-supported local groups have helped him in quite unexpected ways - thanks to his talents at music! Watch a film clip and read more
WAD 2008: Across Peru, young people are uniting against HIV and AIDS. They recently held their first ever national meeting on the issue, ‘Young people – actors for change responding to HIV and AIDS’. It’s vital to raise awareness here, because it’s mostly young people who become infected. Big Deal got the lowdown from young HIV and AIDS educators, youth workers and activists, supported by CAFOD.Read more
“Young people can do something to help improve the situation of HIV and AIDS. We don’t have to wait around for someone else to do it for us,” said Luís Guevara (21), a member of a youth organisation ‘Amongst Friends of Villa El Salvador’, based in one of Peruvian capital Lima’s largest shanty towns. "At the meeting, I learned how to put together a campaign to lobby for our rights. This will strengthen the whole community and make our voice heard. We've decided to do work on a campaign to improve the youth services at our local hospital. Young people often say that the government isn’t doing anything to help us but we have to take action too!”
Young people from 15 youth groups in 7 cities across Peru joined forces at the meeting. Luis was joined by Gerardo (23) from ‘Youth Link’; young people living with HIV and AIDS. They raise awareness and provide care and support. “Young people should be participating but often they don’t get the support from the community or from local institutions. At the meeting we shared experiences, and realised that we aren’t the only youth organisation working on HIV and AIDS – which was great. If we work together, our message is stronger!”
Henry Paiva (23) is also from Youth Link. “We have decided to work with other youth groups in Lima to improve services at our local hospital. We’ll interview young people to find out what services they are missing. At the moment young people don’t feel like they can go to a hospital to find out about HIV and AIDS and other sexual diseases. For example the opening times aren’t good for young people who are studying during the day. We need to make them more youth friendly”.
Yesennia Atahua (20) is part of ‘Youth Leaders of San Juan de Lurigancho’ in Lima. “I learnt that HIV and AIDS isn’t just a problem that affects young people here in Lima but in the whole country,” she said.
Taboos in Peru mean that talking about HIV and AIDS and sex education is really hard. CAFOD works with the Institute for Education and Health (IES) which supports young people to raise awareness, develop community initiatives, and help make public policy on the issue.
Big Deal’s really impressed with the amazing fundraising efforts of Notre Dame High School in Norwich. Last October, the students raised a staggering £10,000 for CAFOD and other charities, and their six mile sponsored walk has become an annual event. But this year they’ve even topped that! Volunteers competed in a sponsored triathlon to raise £1000 for CAFOD World Gifts and other charities! We found out how they got on from student Lauren (17)…Read more “We decided to do a tough workout because we thought it would be a real challenge and we knew it would make a difference. Me, Lauren, Roisin, and Amber-Louise from Year 11 and Ryan from Year 13 took part. Mr Eaton helped to organise the event, and he asked local gym, Bannatyne’s whether we could use their gym equipment. They were only too happy to help – and they have really impressive training facilities. The Norwich Manager, Mark Tuddenham told me, ‘It’s nice to be able to provide facilities to help out with such a great cause’. 
We went along with teaching assistant Kate McCormack, Mr Eaton, and our Head Teacher Mr Pinnington. We planned to do three thirty minute sessions of running, swimming and cycling.
It was tiring, but we were really proud of ourselves after we finished! Ryan said, ‘I love to keep fit, and it’s a good way to raise money because you feel like you’re directly involved’. Everyone thought it was a great idea to help CAFOD, especially when the money raised would go towards the training of a teacher. This is an invaluable resource in a developing country, where education is often limited. It will help the long-term vision of CAFOD, to end injustice and form strong communities.
Kate’s a competitive swimmer so she’s very fit… She said, ‘It’s just nice to be involved with such a great cause, it was a tough workout, but we all knew that it was worth it!’
Our Head Teacher said “Education is not simply about exam results, it’s about learning to support others and build a community. The students and teachers have worked together for a great cause”.
In a world with natural disasters, poverty, and unequal access to education and other resources, CAFOD is essential in providing support for people in developing countries. We’re already thinking of new and exciting ways to raise money in the future!"
Were you at the liveit Conference earlier this year? Loads of young people got together to find ways to take the lead and fight climate change. Ten sixth formers came along from All Hallows RC High School… and since then they’ve been really busy getting out there and taking action on climate change. Helen, one of the sixth formers met up with Big Deal to let us know what they’ve been up to! Here’s Helen… Read more "At liveit we learnt a lot about the effects of climate change on the earth and the people in it, and left inspired to try and change the way in which we live to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity. We had hosted liveit guest speakers Shivanni and Nikki from Guyana and so we knew all about their story of how climate change affects the farmers in their country.
After the conference, we felt really motivated! We ran two retreat days for Year 9 with the theme of climate change and how we as Christians can help prevent it. We held an eco-fashion show where the Year 9s made their own costumes using newspapers, bin bags and polythene bags. Each group of students was a different country; China, Britain, USA, Sri Lanka and Zimbawe. The students from the richer countries had more materials than those from poorer countries to represent the unequal distribution of wealth, and these poorer countries had to trade and struggle to make their costumes.
We held a reflection where we prayed for people in poorer countries whose lives are affected by climate change. And we set up games for the Year 9s too – like the water game. Everyone had to move water from a full bucket to an empty one, using only straws. It was a good way to realize that some people have to travel miles to collect water.
Dr Mike Edwards from CAFOD came to our school to play his didgeridoo! We all thought his speech on climate change was memorable, and long queues of students waited to ask him questions. We asked the Year 9s to write a promise of something they can do to help stop climate change on a postcard addressed to themselves which would be sent to them at a later date.
We’ve also performed the CAFOD play on climate change ‘Degrees of Change’ three times! We thought it was a really moving and inspiring way to spread the message of livesimply. Liveit lives on!"
Want to make an impact and get some respect for young people? Big Deal's met Gabriel Copa Chura (17) from the city of El Alto in Bolivia who’s doing just that! He’s outspoken about how young people can make a difference. He says, “I want to create a society where youth are protagonists”. Gabriel’s been trained by an organisation in Bolivia called UNITAS, which is funded by CAFOD. He speaks out for his neighbours, making sure they get what they need, like education and improved housing. Find out more about Gabriel… and see what youth power can do!Read more
Gabriel’s city has more than it’s fair share of problems… It’s a staggering 4,000 metres above sea level, in the mountains near the sprawling capital La Paz. This hectic mass of redbrick single-story buildings sprung up in under 50 years, and now has a population of 900,000 - mainly from the Aymara indigenous group.
So, communities here need leaders who can tackle problems and make sure local councils do the right things for the people. UNITAS trains leaders like Gabriel and provides vital information on local council plans, using workshops, radio and a newsletter. Now, residents have access to good information and organisation, so they can promote their rights. They have taken action against taxes for road building by the local council, and they’re supporting plans to increase education.
Gabriel got trained by UNIDAS in leadership, lobbying, and understanding his local, regional and national politics. “I have learnt about myself,” he says. “UNITAS has transformed my life - I feel fortunate to be part of the project. I am a lot more confident in expressing my opinions. I hope others can benefit too”.”
He’s got loads of opinions on what's happening in his country. “People always say what does this young person know about politics?” he says. “But more young people need to get involved in politics. I know I won’t be President, but I can start with something! We should share what we learn. Everyone should see that young people have to be respected and valued, that young people can be something”.
In Bolivia, the government is pro-poor – meaning they make policies which help poor people develop. But the government gets pressurised to promote richer elites. Gabriel keeps an eye on his leaders, and he’ll do something about it if things start to change! “A leader is someone who listens and leads,” he says. “I believe in myself"… And so do we!
Keep an eye on Big Deal for more updates from Gabriel – he’s going to be blogging for us from Bolivia!
Big Deal went along to a brilliant event in Nottingham, where we got to find out ways to really TAKE ACTION on the scary subject of climate change... There were games, talks, the 'Degrees of Change' play expertly perfomed by English Martyrs’ School, reflections, and workshops on 'How to be a campaigner in school' by People and Planet. It was totally inspiring and everyone had a great time. Take a look at the slideshow too!
Were you at the event? let us know what you thought about it and comment here!
WAD 2008: Juan from Colombia is a DJ with a difference! He works at a local radio station with a group of peer educators. They involve other young people to record radio messages talking about HIV and AIDS. They also cover lots of other issues that are important to youth, like relationships, domestic violence and human rights. Here’s Juan’s story…Read more"Before I became a peer educator, the issue of HIV and AIDS was taboo. Two years ago I started taking part in the training sessions with the 30 other peer educators. Now I feel much more confident talking about HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections with my friends, neighbours and families”. 
Because HIV and AIDS are often taboo subjects here, it’s a real challenge to get people to understand the truth about the infection. CAFOD works with young people, teachers and community leaders from the Nasa indigenous community of Jambaló in southern Colombia. They’ve funded training and support for peer educators through a local organisation, the Association of Indigenous Councils of the Northern Cauca (ACIN). 
Before the radio work and training of young people and teachers started 3 years ago, there was little awareness of the HIV and AIDS here. Many actually thought that it only affected people living in the cities! People were also terrified to talk about HIV because illegal armed groups sometimes persecute, expel and even kill those they think have the infection…
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