HIV/AIDS display at Women’s Show raises awareness
dave buston for metro calgary
Tricia Olson sits quietly listening in the replica church at One Life Experience in the World Vision display at the Women’s Fair in Calgary yesterday morning. The audio/visual experience takes you through years in the life of African people living with HIV and AIDs.
Calgarians were transported to an African village tour this weekend at the Calgary Women’s Show, and for many the trip was an eye-opening experience.
The World Vision ONE LIFE Experience, a 2,000-sq.-ft. interactive village, transported visitors through an AIDS and HIV audio tour, left many speechless, said show organizers.
Celina Laforet, regional manager for World Vision Canada said the tour was meant to raise awareness of the real-life AIDS issues in Africa and the plight of many of its people.
“We wanted to engage Calgarians and help them understand the issues related to AIDS in Africa. Some walked through the tour and were in tears and some were mad that this is happening. And others felt empowered to do something about it,” Laforet told Metro.
She also hoped visitors would sign a petition for the federal government to follow through on its promises for AIDS funding.
“We want people who say they want to help to continue to pressure the government to stay true to their word. Maybe they don’t need to give more money but just follow through on the funding promises they made.”
The virtual tour took people through various true lifelines of AIDS stories including a young woman who was raped twice, contracted AIDS and became pregnant.
“These are powerful, real-life stories. I am really grateful the Women’s Show allowed us the valuable space to tell these stories.”
More than 10,000 people attended the Women’s Show over the weekend.
