Soul Beat Africa
African development action with informed and engaged societies
Soul Beat Africa
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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AIDS Out of Africa – Africa

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AIDS Out of Africa is a biannual newsletter of poetry and HIV/AIDS that aims to get Aids out of Africa by providing a forum where the people of Africa and their friends around the globe can express their experiences on HIV/AIDS through poetry. The first edition of AIDS Out of Africa will be published in June and December 2004. The newsletter aims to encourage those living with HIV/AIDS to tell their stories.
Communication Strategies
This bi-annual newsletter will feature poetry from Africans infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The organisers intend to seek and find a publisher willing to publish a selection of poems out of its collection. They hope that a publishing company (preferably from Africa) will recognise the value of recording the poetic voices testifying to the daily struggle against HIV/AIDS.

AIDS Out of Africa will establish annual awards for those who in the past year have been exemplary in articulating the African experience of HIV/AIDS through poetry. Each year there will be ten poems nominated for the APOA awards. Out of those nominees, the final three recipients will be chosen. The First Prize will be for US$100; the Second Prize will be for US$75; the Third Prize will be for US$50. The winners will be announced on World's AIDS Day.

The symbols of the newsletter are:
  • Mount Kilimanjaro: representing the enormity and toll of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
  • The thorn tree: representing the African determination to survive.
  • Sunrise: representing a new day, a new beginning.
 To submit entries for the inaugural edition of AIDS Out of Africa deadlines are: May 15th, 2004 and November 15th, 2004
The newsletter will be e-mailed between June 15th and 30th and December 15th and 30th. A website will be established within the next few months to facilitate access to the newsletter in Africa and around the world.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS
Key Points
The organisers hope that through poetry they shall "expose that is hidden; shine light where there is darkness; soothe the hurting; encourage that which is courageous; shame that which hurts; and love that seem unlovable; and embrace their brothers and sisters in a steel determination to get rid of Aids."

If anyone wishes to receive the Aids out of Africa newsletter, send your e-mail address to AIDSoutofAFRICA@aol.com
Sources

AF-AIDS on May 10, 2004.