April 5, 2008 Meeting Summary

DGAAN: DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network

Sr. Rosemary Pint Room, Wheaton Franciscan Campus

Wheaton, IL

1. Co-chairs; S. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, D. Min., Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC), Wheaton Franciscans; Dr. Sandra Joireman, Ph.D., Dept. of Politics and International Relations, Wheaton College.
   15 participants were present
2. S. Sheila led the reflection while Dr. Joireman gave a brief overview of Dgaan.
3. Mary Sytsma of the Gwaimen Center gave a presentation on her recent trip visiting AIDS widows and orphans. To view her presentation, click here. Mary gave a description of her visits stating that people came to the center to ask for help; some of them were not even sure of what kind of help they needed. Mary also went on Village visits, lending support wherever needed and within her travels some of the residents asked, why would people care? Some of them at times became solvent, knowing that people care especially in the United States.

As Mary’s trip continued her group donated and distributed stuff to the widows, some were tested for HIV/AIDS, they explained to the women how to generate income; seedlings for planting and sewing projects were offered to these women. Within my further travels we discovered that families had so many issues, one particular story a small boy killed his Father and the family did not want him, so we ask ourselves what we can do. The boy was taken to a local priest and we found out that the boy was possessed, he was cleansed of his demons and the family took him back.
Many children in the villages are so proud of their school even though they do not have electricity, no books and not even a blackboard. They attend for only 3 hours a day for a fee. We gave out notebooks, pencils, matching games and numbers. All the kids come to the center very excited; we give them all 3 meals a day and medication. So many of the kids are orphans, some are cared for by family members, most are HIV infected; some of the cooks are HIV, we provide them with the opportunity to work, and nutrition. It’s was shocking to us that some of them did not know about HIV, they have no idea that they have HIV and do not know what to do; so we provided education which is mostly needed.
Amongst the kids toys or clothes are largely needed. One of our trips we collected Bennie babies stuff animals and kids just love to play with them. At times the children just need to be held. In one of pictures a small child holds a Pepsi bottle; I will contact the Pepsi Cola Company and try to a sell this picture, Mary stated. Monies received by the center are mostly used for medical supplies, like syringes; hospitality is huge and the children are always fed. Most of the food preparation is always done outside.
We have tons of bricks that will be used for a new building they only cost $1.00, but they need to be guarded at all times by a man with only a sling-shot. Some of the families have asked the members of of the center to take their children back the US, because they know that they will take care of and fed, some families have so many children they do not know how to feed them all. I asked myself how a family can be so trust-worthy in asking us to take one of the children, it’s hard to comprehend but in the midst of extreme poverty this happens. Mary then presented some pictures for sale and encouraged us to visit the website www.thegwaiwencenter.org for more information on how we can be supportive.

4. S. Sheila gave a presentation on recent trip to Uganda. My journey began within the prison walls, I could not believe she I was sitting with harden criminals. Even though each prisoner has different crimes, most of them are contributed to poverty. This prison hosts about 2000 prisoners; some are showed playing soccer, participation in computer classes, algebra and even poetry. HIH/AIDS are also part of the curriculum. The prisoners were extremely happy to know that Senator Obama is running for president. In another slide you see that on a plaque the current statement of development is taken seriously. The prison is well-kept, the grounds and garden areas are also taken care of by the prisoners…. One of the prisoners baptized himself as “Pope John Paul”. Some of these prisoners have even expressed being embarrassed to live in the camps. Numerous village signs are quite educational and informative. See view presentations, click here.

DGAAN Members Actions:

Dr. Sandra Joireman, Wheaton College

· Spoke at Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church about advocacy for HIV/AIDS

· Called Roskam’s Office about Debt Relief bill and co-sponsorship

· Doing Offering of Letters for my church on the Global Poverty Act

Dan Driscoll-Shaw, JubileeUSA

· Visit with DGAAN group to Rep. Judy Biggert regarding JubileeAct

· Called offices of Senators Durbin and Obama for them to co-sponsor PEPFAR funding

· Made calls to Office of Rep. Donald A. Manzullo on JubileeAct. Also a member of Financial Services (Center) Committee.

Karen Waters, the Gwaimen Center Board

· Continue to work on the Gwaimen board to raise funds/awareness on HIV/AIDS-Nigeria

· Hope to attend the Care Conference in DC., June, 08
Ron Durbin, Sr. Joan of Arc

· Met with Rep. Judy Biggert on 2/19/08 to encourage her to co-sponsor the Jubilee Act

· Visited Senator Richard Durbin in his Chicago’s office on 3/19/2008 to ask for his sponsorship of the Global Poverty Act

· On April 5^th & 6^th, St. Joan of Arc will have their offering of letters

· Sr. Florence Muia will be speaking on May 3^rd & 4^th services

· On May 18^th our S.T.E.P. will be held at St. Joan of Arc

· On April 3^rd got a call from JubileeUSA stating that Rep. Biggert did co-sponsor the JubileeAct. St. Joan of Arc also supported the Post-Card campaign locally.

Annisa Wanat, The ONE Campaign
Annisa informed the group that this will be last meeting with us that she would be leaving for Afghanistan for a least a year and encouraged us to check the one campaign website blog section for updates from her. The group thanked Annisa for her commitment and support and wished her an extremely safe journey. Annisa informed the group of the ONE’s 2008 goals which are:

· FY’09 budget

· 2008 elections

· PEPFAR

· Global Child Survival Act

· JubileeAct

S. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, JPIC Office, Wheaton Franciscans

· Ugandan Experience 2/16-3/3/08

– Visited progress and sites affected by HIV/AIDS

– Ugandan Upper prison, education and academic on HIV/AIDS testing, counseling and drug treatment

– Northern Ugandan-LRA conflict area visited schools, education on HIV/AIDS and consequences.

– Malanda-IDP Camp for Kenyans. Volunteers attended to needs of persons with HIV/AIDS

· Facilitator for the Franciscan Leadership Seminar in Jinja, Uganda; where we evaluated and continued the development of HIV/AIDS programs

· Wrote article in MESP magazine and developed PPT with experience

· Participated in Environmental Advocacy Days in D.C.-met with Congressional staffers of Roskam, Durbin, Obama regarding funding for HIV/AIDS and poverty issues

· Celebrated Rep. Judy Biggert’s drafting of the managers amendments & co-sponsor of the JubileeAct.

· Sr. Florence Muia event on the June 2^nd

Tom Richardt, St. Joan of Arc Social Justice & Peace

· Kept the Parish aware and updated of the Kenyan situation; specifically Upendo Village

· During the month of February hosted the Postcard campaign for the JubileeAct.

· April 5^th & 6^th , Offering of Letters (Global Poverty Act)

· May 18^th, S.T.E.P event featuring HIV/AIDS statistics, advocacy & mission opportunities

· On September 27^th, planning has begun for annual Oktoberfest (all proceeds go the Upendo Village)

· May 3^rd & 4^th hosting Sr. Florence to speak at all Masses that weekend.

Ann Piasecki, JPIC Office, Wheaton Franciscan

· Called for JubileeUSA for JubileeAct

· Called Wilderness Association environment/Mexican Border

· Assist with the planning of the upcoming Peace Day on May 3^rd by sending out a press release and news paper AD’s

· Interviewed by WXRT Radio on my work in DGAAN, JPIC Office, Environment, Peace Advocacy and other small efforts to be peaceful to each other.

· Attended Restorative Justice Day long workshop

· In preparations for the Earth Summit

· Completed the Human Trafficking Statement

· Put DGAAN on XRT Website

· Traveling to EIU on April 4^th to show a presentation on Earth Charter

· Met with Rep. Judy Biggert regarding the JubileeAct

Betty Bradshaw

· Participated in International Supper at Parish

· Every Sunday food drive @ PRC

· Future lunch with Sr. Florence Muia

Dr. Evvy Campbell, Wheaton College HIV/AIDS Tasks Force

· On April 4^th showed a presentation on “ Global AIDS” to a public Health Class

· During March 28-29, attended World Hope Board Meetings Organization has a $7.8 million NPI Grant in Haiti for AIDS

· February 24^th was a panelist for AIDS focus at Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church.

Sharon Huffman, Social Justice Task Force, Redeemer Lutheran Church

· Increase awareness among parishioners about world hunger issues

· Hosted a Hunger Banquet on March 20^th

· Held a Baggie Banquet-during 3 services on March 30^th

· Offering of letters are planned for 4/13/08 during 3 services on PovertyAct.

Mary Sytsma, The Gwaiwen Center, www.thegwaiwencenter.org

· I spoke at 2 education classes for Dr. Carole Hillman at Elmhurst College about the work of the Gwaimen Center.

· I am also facilitating a project at Timothy Christian Grade School, between the Sixth graders and the children at the Gwaiwen Center.

Suzie Broomes, JPIC Office, Wheaton Franciscans

· Coffee meeting with the Village of Romeoville newest Mayor, John Noak

· Updating both DGAAN and JPIC websites

· Event planning for Sr. Florence Muia visit on June 2^nd

· Event planning stages for the Earth Summit event coming on October 11^th.

· Assisted in placing a newspaper AD for the Hiroshima Memorial for Peace Day on May 3^rd @ the Diocese of Joliet