Nov. 2, 2009 -- The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is holding a contest starting this month for those want to travel to Africa to see community development, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDs education, prevention and relief, up close.
The winner will learn and serve alongside community workers as they carry out the work to bring about changes in people’s lives. The contest is especially for those mission-minded people who don’t have money to pay the airfare and are uncomfortable soliciting support from friends and family.
The contest is part of CRWRC’s iEmbraceAIDS campaign.
Contest participants will be asked to make a pledge and commit to doing something to raise awareness about the global AIDS crisis or raise financial support for CRWRC’s AIDS programs. Pledges might include:
- coordinating a candlelight vigil for World AIDS Day (Dec.1),
- writing an editorial for a community newspaper,
- holding a bake sale to raise funds, or whatever creative ideas come to mind.
In exchange for this pledge, contest participants will be entered to win a three-week trip to learn about how communities in Uganda are responding to the crisis.
“The trip will be a unique volunteer opportunity that is specifically crafted around the gifts and interests of the contest winner. That winner will work alongside CRWRC staff and indigenous partners in a community that is responding to HIV & AIDS with long-term and sustainable solutions,” says a CRWRC press release.
The volunteer experience might include, says the release, “helping out at a HIV testing clinic, assisting a health worker in visiting the homes of those affected by HIV or working with a group of Ugandan youth in doing AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns. The winner will also receive orientation and mentorship by CRWRC staff and Ugandan community leaders.”
The contest is open to individuals age 18 and older who are legal residents of the United States or Canada. Entries will be collected between November 4, 2009 and February 28, 2010. The winner will be announced on or around March 1, 2010.
For official rules and regulations, click here. To enter the contest online, become a member of iEmbraceAIDS and pledge to do something to shine your light on the AIDS crisis around the world. You can also enter by visiting the CRWRC booth at Urbana.
As for the mission conference, CRWRC in partnership with Christian Reformed World Missions, is offering travel grants to young people who wish to attend Urbana 2009. Any young adult who is attending Urbana (proof of registration required) and is a member or regular attendee of a Christian Reformed Church is eligible to apply. Travel Grant applications are due November 30, 2009.
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