Standing in a circle, Monday evening members of the University of Texas’ chapter of Face AIDS began a game that starts off with them holding hands and ends by untangling themselves without letting go of one another’s hands. For those outside of the circle there seemed to be little to do to help untangle the rest, but one observing member stepped up to help solve the issue.
The member on the outside is indicative of what Face AIDS is doing as an organization. They stepped up to become apart of a fight for a cause that has many standing on the outside looking in. Members of Face AIDS at UT work year round to educate individuals about AIDS, and to raise funds to eventually help eliminate the disease.
Kat Wilcox, the president of the UT chapter, explained the history of Face AIDS. The organization is a non-profit that was started in 2005 by three Stanford students who wanted to help deliver jobs, help with paying for treatment and support for those with AIDS. They created AIDS awareness pins. The pins are made by HIV infected people in Rwanda and other affected communities. The UT chapter was created in 2006 by student’s at the university who wanted to join the cause.
This fall, UT’s chapter is focusing on raising $3,000 dollars, and a yearly total of $8000 for their area of focus, Rwanda. The organization tables weekly and sells AIDS awareness pins for $5 donations to the cause.
Although they do not raise funds for those with AIDS in Austin, the organization does a lot of volunteer work locally, according to Wilcox.
“We’ve had Saturday fun days where in the past we’ve cleaned someone’s house," Wlicox said. "Another time we did some gardening. It’s stuff that is kind of commonplace to us but when you’re HIV positive and taking all these drugs you're weakened and just tired and fatigued."
The group also hosts multiple events during World AIDS Week in memory of those who died of AIDS and to promote awareness. They also host a yearly fashion show called Condom Couture, in which all of the designs are made entirely out of condoms. The purpose being to promote discussion about AIDS and other related issues.
Events like the fashion show and those during World AIDS Week reach out and encourage other organizations to help out and get involved with Face AIDS' cause.
While the group works to fight for a serious issue, they still manage to make working together fun. The group schedules fun gatherings for the members. They get together to bake, go on movie outings, and they play icebreaker or bonding games at meetings.
The group is small but the members are passionate about the cause and the organization.
Prachi Patel, public relations coordinator for the group spoke about her reasoning for joining.
“I’ve always been interested global health and health equity so when I heard about this organization I thought I'd try it out," Patel said. "I came to one of the meetings and I really enjoyed it. “
Justine Huang, social coordinator for group, says her favorite part of the organization is the size.
“Every organization I’ve ever been has been like 100 members but with Face AIDS it’s really small, and we just get to know each other really well.
According to Wilcox the organization does not have a formal recruitment period for its members, but rather ongoing membership. Members can come whenever they want, but are encouraged to pay membership dues because it helps fund the group and their work. Members are asked to participate in the weekly tabling, in order to tout the organization and their cause. Wilcox said that making the meetings isn't as important as being involved.
“I’d rather see people here than exclude people based on [meeting attendance]. We’re flexible, we just want people to be involved,” said Wilcox.
Kat Wilcox, the president of the UT chapter, explained the history of Face AIDS. The organization is a non-profit that was started in 2005 by three Stanford students who wanted to help deliver jobs, help with paying for treatment and support for those with AIDS. They created AIDS awareness pins. The pins are made by HIV infected people in Rwanda and other affected communities. The UT chapter was created in 2006 by student’s at the university who wanted to join the cause.
This fall, UT’s chapter is focusing on raising $3,000 dollars, and a yearly total of $8000 for their area of focus, Rwanda. The organization tables weekly and sells AIDS awareness pins for $5 donations to the cause.
Although they do not raise funds for those with AIDS in Austin, the organization does a lot of volunteer work locally, according to Wilcox.
“We’ve had Saturday fun days where in the past we’ve cleaned someone’s house," Wlicox said. "Another time we did some gardening. It’s stuff that is kind of commonplace to us but when you’re HIV positive and taking all these drugs you're weakened and just tired and fatigued."
The group also hosts multiple events during World AIDS Week in memory of those who died of AIDS and to promote awareness. They also host a yearly fashion show called Condom Couture, in which all of the designs are made entirely out of condoms. The purpose being to promote discussion about AIDS and other related issues.
Events like the fashion show and those during World AIDS Week reach out and encourage other organizations to help out and get involved with Face AIDS' cause.
While the group works to fight for a serious issue, they still manage to make working together fun. The group schedules fun gatherings for the members. They get together to bake, go on movie outings, and they play icebreaker or bonding games at meetings.
The group is small but the members are passionate about the cause and the organization.
Prachi Patel, public relations coordinator for the group spoke about her reasoning for joining.
“I’ve always been interested global health and health equity so when I heard about this organization I thought I'd try it out," Patel said. "I came to one of the meetings and I really enjoyed it. “
Justine Huang, social coordinator for group, says her favorite part of the organization is the size.
“Every organization I’ve ever been has been like 100 members but with Face AIDS it’s really small, and we just get to know each other really well.
According to Wilcox the organization does not have a formal recruitment period for its members, but rather ongoing membership. Members can come whenever they want, but are encouraged to pay membership dues because it helps fund the group and their work. Members are asked to participate in the weekly tabling, in order to tout the organization and their cause. Wilcox said that making the meetings isn't as important as being involved.
“I’d rather see people here than exclude people based on [meeting attendance]. We’re flexible, we just want people to be involved,” said Wilcox.