God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

05/06/2010 • 10:10 am Comments Off on 06.05.2010 50 years…

06.05.2010 50 years…

Since half a century in existence – and most probably most time of my life gone. A day to celebrate? A day to panic? A day to reflect? A day to ignore? Not sure actually. It is a day I could take time to count my blessings but also my scars, my triumphs and my biggest losses in the last 50 years. It is an artificial caesura, but for most people surely an important one.

For me, this day is another opportunity to live, to be alive, to breathe, to act, to try to achieve whatever this day will put onto my way. And I take this opportunity to live while being grateful for all my family, friends, all those who have accompanied me for a while before we departed again, for all those, who have been called to higher service, not knowing, when I will join them.

Is there any regret? Not really – maybe that I have sometimes not lived life to the fullest, that I listened to much right and left and tried to be “conventional” instead of chosing my unique way as everybody should do in his or her life. I know and I believe strongly that we are all originals and that everybody has to find his/her pattern of life – unique, surrounded by the unconditional love of what we Christians call God.

And that, yes that is certainly a reason to celebrate and to hope for as many such from love surrounded days as possible. And maybe a little bit less hectic once in a while.. Age should make somebody more quiet and mature… well.. I will try hard…  🙂

Filed under: Uncategorized,

05/04/2010 • 6:47 pm Comments Off on 04.05.2010 News on medical dagga

04.05.2010 News on medical dagga

The POZ magazine reports:
The Washington, DC, City Council approved a medical marijuana bill allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with chronic conditions such as HIV, glaucoma and cancer, The Washington Post reports. Under the bill, doctors would be able to prescribe patients up to 2 ounces of marijuana in a 30-day period. According to the article, patients’ prescriptions would be filled at city-sanctioned distribution centers, which receive their marijuana supply from private cultivation centers licensed by the city.  The bill, approved April 20, does include restrictions. Patients aren’t allowed to grow their own marijuana, and distribution and cultivation centers can’t be located within 300 feet of schools or preschools. The council is scheduled to vote a second time on the bill next month, after which it could take several months for the program to go into effect.
http://www.poz.com/articles/medical_marijuana_bill_1_18313.shtml

In my opinion a great decision.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Politics and Society, , , , ,

05/03/2010 • 6:33 pm Comments Off on 03.05.2010 Disclosure of the HIV status

03.05.2010 Disclosure of the HIV status

It is again and again a debate, whether there is a need to disclose the own HIV status and if so, when and to whom. Every person has the right to privacy and it is his or her own decision which route to follow. In my opinion there is unfortunately still in our times such ignorance and discrimination to find in daily life which makes disclosure very difficulty. On the other hand every HIV positive person should have at least one friend or family member to know about it to make sure there is somebody to talk to…

The website aidsmeds.com has a very detailed write-up about the pros and cons of disclosure and it is worth reading it:

To Tell or Not To Tell

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Disclosure_7568.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Society and living environment, , , ,

05/02/2010 • 6:29 pm Comments Off on POZ magazine: China lifts 20 year old HIV ban

POZ magazine: China lifts 20 year old HIV ban

China lifted its 20-year-old entry ban on foreigners living with HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and leprosy, the Xinhua News Agency reports.  “There are 51 countries in the world which still have such restrictions,” said Mark Stirling, UNAIDS country coordinator. “China’s move will have significant global influence and provide very important leadership.” Stirling added that the regulation changes, which were passed on April 27, will encourage more public dialogue about HIV/AIDS in China, which will help combat stigma and discrimination.  A recent survey showed that 84 percent of Chinese people preferred to keep the ban, which Stirling said reflects the need for HIV education, including how the virus is transmitted.  According to the article, 740,000 people are living with the virus in China and 49,845 have died of AIDS-related illnesses since the country’s first reported case in 1985.

Original message: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/china_travel_ban_hiv_1_18331.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Politics and Society, , , ,

05/01/2010 • 6:25 pm Comments Off on 01.05.3020 Ball of HOPE 22.05.2010

01.05.3020 Ball of HOPE 22.05.2010

I remember it very clearly: on the 15.05.1998 I organised the first ball in Cape Town and the reason at that time was a simply one: Coming to Cape Town as the new chaplain to the German-speaking Catholic Community at that time, I did not want to engage into bazar and similar events as organised by every parish around the world. I thought that having something extra-ordinary would maybe attract people and to make the first ball attractive, I contacted Archbishop em. Desmond Tutu who, to my surprise, agreed to be the guest of honour for this eve. The event at the ballroom of the gracious Mount Nelson Hotel at that time was mend to create funds for the social work of my small little flock.

In 2001 the theme changed and the “Ball of HOPE” was from now on the official label for this event. On board the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Anja Tambusso Ferraz nee Spandern as head of the Cape Town office as cooperation partner.  With the opening of the Arabella Sheraton, now the Westin Grand Hotel, the Ball of HOPE moved to this top class hotel as it also supported HOPE Cape Town in other areas.

We are now celebrating the 13th event of this kind and meanwhile, the Ball of HOPE is a known event in the social calendar of Cape Town. It is nice to see how a spontaneous idea developed into a major event and I am proud to say, that this year – again – we are sold out. Thanks to all who supported and support on a continuous base this prestigious event. I am also grateful that the German-speaking Catholic Community decided to keep their bond with the Ball of HOPE.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Reflection, , , , , ,

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