"Survivor Wittenberg" coming in April
Benjamin McAnnis-Entenman
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
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Wiping the green stream of snot from his nose with a grimy sleeve, young Thabo held up his hands in the universal toddler gesture for "up." A joyful grin spread across his face as a student reached down and hoisted him into the air, realizing the possibility that Thabo or other HIV positive kids at the Maseru Children's Village might not be there the next day.
Thabo is one of over 90,000 orphans who have lost their parents as a result of AIDS and poverty in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, Africa. In three of the past five years groups of Wittenberg students have traveled to this struggling nation to held build houses and volunteer at orphanages. This year, however, no group will be making the arduous 18-hour flight; instead, students who have participated in past trips are organizing "Survivor Wittenberg," a fundraiser benefiting charities in Lesotho.
The event format consists of teams of 8-10 students, who will be sponsored by local businesses and compete in challenges at locations across campus the weekend of April 14-15. The challenges will correspond with the original Survivor form, testing competitors' mental and physical capabilities.
Event director Scott Rosenberg, who also leads the trips to Lesotho, is hoping to raise $12,000-15,000. While the fundraising aspect is vital to the success of the event, Rosenberg also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the problems of HIV and orphans in Lesotho and Southern Africa.
"One of the biggest things we can do for Lesotho and Africa is raise awareness," said Rosenberg. "This event will provide information about what the problem is and what can be done about it here at Witt and also on a bigger scale."
Junior Amy Meige, a participant in the 2006 trip and member of the event planning committee, echoed Rosenberg's sentiments.
"From most perspectives it's easy to see there are millions in need in our world, yet so many people think they can't help because they're far away or can't donate thousands of dollars. But helping starts will the smallest of efforts, and here is chance to participate in something that is a step toward helping those in need on a global scale-and it's right in our backyard," said Meige.
Thabo is one of over 90,000 orphans who have lost their parents as a result of AIDS and poverty in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, Africa. In three of the past five years groups of Wittenberg students have traveled to this struggling nation to held build houses and volunteer at orphanages. This year, however, no group will be making the arduous 18-hour flight; instead, students who have participated in past trips are organizing "Survivor Wittenberg," a fundraiser benefiting charities in Lesotho.
The event format consists of teams of 8-10 students, who will be sponsored by local businesses and compete in challenges at locations across campus the weekend of April 14-15. The challenges will correspond with the original Survivor form, testing competitors' mental and physical capabilities.
Event director Scott Rosenberg, who also leads the trips to Lesotho, is hoping to raise $12,000-15,000. While the fundraising aspect is vital to the success of the event, Rosenberg also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the problems of HIV and orphans in Lesotho and Southern Africa.
"One of the biggest things we can do for Lesotho and Africa is raise awareness," said Rosenberg. "This event will provide information about what the problem is and what can be done about it here at Witt and also on a bigger scale."
Junior Amy Meige, a participant in the 2006 trip and member of the event planning committee, echoed Rosenberg's sentiments.
"From most perspectives it's easy to see there are millions in need in our world, yet so many people think they can't help because they're far away or can't donate thousands of dollars. But helping starts will the smallest of efforts, and here is chance to participate in something that is a step toward helping those in need on a global scale-and it's right in our backyard," said Meige.
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