Hollywood comes to the Lesson for Life!

'Last year we cried, this year we cry. We need to stop. We need to take action. This is a global disease that knows no difference. It uses poverty as it’s shield. Let’s make a pledge to come together and fight. I have a dream of standing on the grave of AIDS and singing in victory.'

These were the strong words of one teacher of Kokebe Tsebeha School in Addis Ababa - one of the many schools that participated in the Lesson for Life initiative throughout Ethiopia.

From the moment one entered the school compound the excitement and buzz around the Lesson for Life campaign could be felt. The littlest of the children were standing off to one side with lit candles, some of them maybe too young to understand the real significance of their lights of hope. The oldest scattered around the neat flower beds, careening over to hear the speeches from the visiting officials, others vying for window space from the surrounding classrooms to get a better view.

The 73 year old school was chosen as the venue for this event, as it too is symbolic of the Lesson for Life that the children were participating in to commemorate World Aids Day 2004. From these halls, many of Ethiopia notables, from generals to journalists, have left this compound and go on to experience life’s lessons. However today, the lesson was decidedly different. Education and awareness about HIV/AIDS is crucial to curbing future incidences of the disease. Children and youth at the school responded well to the event- in their own words:

'Today I am very happy'. 'Today we get even more education, we get a chance to learn more about HIV/AIDS. I know that people are neglected when they have HIV/AIDS and it makes me sad. We must not neglect them and we must protect ourselves from the disease.' (Yosefe Yohannes)

Young people are indeed the agents of change and it is vital that the world tap their potential power, their energy, their creativity and their vision to prevent the further spread of the disease and create stronger compassion for those who already have the disease. 13 year old Surafel Eshetu spoke of her observations and hopes:

'When I grow up I want to be a medical doctor. With ECF behind me, I believe I can achieve my dreams. I am an orphan – but I am fortunate. Thanks to the efforts of Anna Getaneh, the founder of ECF, and all the volunteers, including you, Mr. Danny Glover, I am getting my education free of charge in this large and beautiful school. In our school, in our homes and in our neighborhoods, we hear about AIDS which leaves many children of our age without parents. Today we are happy to have you, the media and Government officials with us. We ask you, the Government, UNICEF and NGOs, to live up to the promises you make to us so that all children, especially orphans, have the same type of chances as we do.'

Acknowledging that the world has different means at its disposal to reach and work with young people to curb the disease, UNICEF and partners, in support of the Global Movement for Children, continues to encourage schools to act as the crucial vehicles for curtailing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. At the same event, a few celebrities also showed their support and enthusiasm:

Danny Glover, Hollywood Actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said:
'…I want to once again commend the children who participated [in the drama presentations.]. What they exhibited in that performance was something extraordinary which will in some ways be a bridge for their own success as they continue in life…. Our history, of all us, our history as adults, our history as children, will be determined by how we come to terms with this and how we fight and how hard we fight and how passionately we fight… you must know that in your fight, as you give leadership and voice and creative energy and passion and love to that, we as adults will be there with you. We will march with you and we will all march and we will all fight to defeat this thing'.

Berhane Adere, Ethiopian long distance running champion and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said:
'The main reason for us gathering here is to promote the participation of children and youth in the ‘Lesson for Life’ campaign which will be held on World AIDS Day. On that day all of you children here will join your peers in all parts of the world to take part in the ‘Lesson for Life.’…As we look in our community, especially among youth, we find that the greater proportion of those who are affected by HIV are girls and women. This year’s World AIDS Day theme focuses on girls, women and HIV/AIDS. When you take part in the 'Lesson for Life' remember to think about and consider the situation of women….I have a ten-year-old son. I am going to encourage him to take part in the ‘Lesson for Life’ campaign on World AIDS Day. I always advise and encourage him to respect girls. If we can respect each other then we can find solutions. I want my son and all of you to grow up healthy so that you can inherit this country'.

Kenenisa Bekele, Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said:
'Children often ask how I became a runner…It began with having a dream, having the desire to succeed. My advice for all children everywhere is to dream big, to desire and aspire to reach the highest levels in whatever inspires you. It is all of our responsibility to help you, children, to reach your goals and aspirations. It is the responsibility of the Government and the society to make sure that all children can grow up healthy… It is our responsibility to fill the gap and make sure their basic human rights are fulfilled...all of you children, I want to again remind you to never stop striving to make your dreams a reality'

In Ethiopia, according to the recent report of MOH (June 2004), the cumulative number of people living with HIV/AIDS is about 1.5 million out of which about 96,000 are children under 15 years. The estimated number of new AIDS cases in the adult population in 2003 was 98,000, while that of children stands at 25,000. In Ethiopia, since the first two AIDS cases were reported in 1986, it is estimated that about 90,000 adults and 25,000 children have died of AIDS.
Given these figures, the Lesson for Life has proved to be a great success, attracting schools, NGOs and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors. The Lesson for Life gives children a leading role in teaching others the facts about HIV/AIDS, and in taking action in their communities to mitigate its impact. Providing a platform for children directly affected by HIV/AIDS to share their experiences, concerns and ideas, the Lesson for Life unites efforts to build a world fit for children. Children affected by HIV/AIDS are part of the solution to curbing the impact of the epidemic and with their families and communities, can play a vital role. Where HIV transmission has been reduced, the greatest reduction has been among young people.