H.E.R.O. for Children

Balloons floated toward the heavens. On one was written “I just wish I could graduate high school,” on another, “I wish my family would be all right.”

These wishes were part of HERO for Children’s annual Fall Festival of Fun for children infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Out of the 500 programs in the state that provide basic needs for HIV and AIDS patients, HERO is the only one to focus on the quality of life for children affected by this disease, according to the organization’s website.

HERO for Children is financially supported by University of Georgia’s HEROs student organization.

Two UGA graduates, Ryan Gembala and Garrett Gravesen, founded UGA HEROs several years ago after both had touching experiences with AIDS orphans abroad.

While one had taught an AIDS orphan to blow bubbles for the first time, the other had attended a funeral for a child who lost his battle with the disease.

After its humble beginnings on the University of Georgia campus as UGA HEROs, this organization has spread its influence internationally, while also keeping strong roots in its home state.

“Our mission has always remained the same, but we have definitely become more fundraising focused over the past few years,” said Kevin Scott, executive director of UGA HEROs.

“HERO for Children in Atlanta is on the cutting edge of a lot of things, but they need the financial support from us to make these things happen.”

The growth of UGA HEROs is evident in its fundraising totals. The organization went from raising $52,000 in its first year to $100,000 in a single semester.

This year the organization is focusing on two things: recognition and fundraising.

“We have done activities such as a free Greek cookout and a free Residence Hall cookout to invite people to come and learn more about HERO in a non-threatening way,” Scott said.

Although awareness on campus is important, it’s the fundraising aspect of the organization that really impacts lives.

“The bottom line is that we can have all the fun we want and have everyone on campus know what UGA HEROs is, but if we aren't raising money for the programs then we really aren't helping these kids, Scott said.

“Ideally, we would like to raise $300,000 this year – a major jump for the organization.”

The money raised by UGA HEROs goes directly to fund HERO for Children programs such as SuperHEROs, Global HEROs, Fall Festival of Fun, Hero Olympics and many more.

These programs provide opportunities for these children that they would not normally get since many live in homes with an average income of $10,000 per year or less.

Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, HERO for Children has also developed the state’s first mentoring program for children affected by this disease.

A mentor is assigned to each child and spends time with them on a regular basis, often taking them to events such as Braves or Hawks games.

During a time when AIDS remains a controversial disease, organizations like HERO for Children are attempting to lessen the negative stereotypes surrounding the illness.

It is often hard to imagine the pain that victims of this disease feel. One 4-year-old girl expressed hers by writing on her balloon, “I love God, I wish God loved me.”

Village Life in Fiji

I hoisted the young Fijian girl, Nabua, onto my shoulders with waves crashing and children laughing nearby.

When I first became a student at the University of Georgia, I never would have imagined that this university would allow me to spend part of my summer studying in Fiji, one of the most beautiful island chains in the South Pacific.

However, I was allowed to do exactly that, thanks to the amazing opportunities provided by UGA’s Study Abroad program.

Beyond Fiji, UGA offers many opportunities to study in places such as Antarctica, Australia, Belize, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. These programs focus on the ecology of humans and their natural environments.

My particular programs consisted of a three-week stay in Australia and an eight-day visit to Fiji, which included two days in a local village with a host family.

Our Fiji trip began on the main island of Viti Levu in the city of Nadi, from which we made our way on a scenic bus ride along the coast to the capital city of Suva. I’ll never forget the stunning views of lush mountains meeting crystal clear ocean waters.

Although the landscape was breathtaking, the poverty of the country was quite surprising. As we traveled, we passed countless villages consisting of basic concrete houses, usually surrounded by barefoot villagers waving and shouting “Bula,” the Fijian welcome.

Although the locals were very friendly, their living conditions involved unsanitary water, little electricity, and often heaps of trash nearby. Not surprisingly, this aspect of Fijian life is often omitted from travel brochures.

However, it was interacting with these poverty-stricken people, rather than the natural beauty of Fiji, that had the most significant impact on my view of the world. In the local village of Votua, I discovered the insignificance of material possessions.

Despite the fact that the families in this community do not have many possessions, they demonstrate a level of hospitality that is often absent in average American homes. It was truly amazing to be welcomed into the homes of complete strangers and experience such an overwhelming sense of love and belonging.

Although we, as American college students, had little in common with these locals, they eagerly welcomed us into their village of Votua with open arms and complete acceptance.

In Fijian villages, a traditional “yagona,” or “kava,” ceremony is performed as a sign of welcome into that particular village. The visitors present a bundle of “waka,” or dried pepper plant root, to the village chief with a brief explanation for their visit, a custom known as “sevusevu.”

The host receives the sevusevu, pounds the plant, and then places it in a cloth sack. Afterwards, it is mixed with water in a large, hand-carved wooden bowl, called a “tanoa.”

The first cup of kava, a non-alcoholic, tranquilizing drink, is then presented to the guest of honor, while the second goes to the master of ceremonies. Before receiving the cup, the drinker must clap once and again three times when the drink is finished.

Although Kava drinking is an almost daily social norm in Fijian society, it does not have the stigmas associated with alcohol consumption. The drink does not produce the effects of alcohol, but simply a slight numbing of the tongue and mouth.

After our initial yaqona ceremony, our group was split into pairs, each pair staying with a different host family.

While talking with Tabua, the host mother of our house, over breakfast the morning after our arrival, we discussed our own families and backgrounds as she described hers.

After declaring that she now considers us a permanent part of her family, she insisted that the next time we come back to Fiji with our own families, we should stay with her. In this way, our families can experience the real Fiji and prevent wasting money at the resorts.

I will never forget this incredible cross-cultural hospitality. It seems that open understanding and acceptance are often difficult to find in our world of social prejudice. However, the notion of equality among cultures is still a prominent factor in local Fijian society. If only American families were so open to new people and different cultures.

Why Carpe Diem?

When trying to think of a blog name that would provide somewhat of an insight into my life and the way that I live it, the phrase "carpe diem" was the first thing to come to mind. This Latin phrase literally meaning "harvest the day," or more popularly translated as "seize the day." Although some may view this phrase as somewhat disheartening since it suggests our limited time on earth, I believe it's a remarkably motivating and inspirational philosophy to live by. It urges us to take advantage of our present situation and the opportunities presented to us in order to live a rich life. I believe this is a philosophy that many people don't consider as they go about their daily tasks, forgetting to "stop and smell the roses."