Feature Article November 13, 2002
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Fari Kafawedu:A Man with a VisionFrom Toronto to Ottawa, on foot: 450 kilometers, and 11 days of walking - a daunting reality for Farai Kufakwedu, who set out on foot from Toronto on October 31 to raise awareness for the AIDS crisis in Africa. Farai is the founder of the International Youth Alliance for Development Against AIDS (IYADAA), and hopes that his pilgrimage will demonstrate IYADAAs commitment to the fight against AIDS.
In Africa 8,200 people die daily of AIDS. Children are left orphaned to look after as many as 6 younger siblings, and poverty is widespread. However, despite these staggering statistics, North Americans remain either unaware or unresponsive to this emergency. And this is an emergency, Farai emphasized. If this towns local school was on fire with children inside, every fire truck available would be sent to extinguish it. Farai does not see this type of action being taken against the growing problem in Africa. Eighty-two thousand people will have died during this ten-day walk, he pointed out.
Farai came to Canada from Zimbabwe in May, 2001. He has not only witnessed the destruction of AIDS, but has also been affected personally, having lost 8 uncles to it. He has witnessed first-hand the gradual fall of quality of life in African communities, among his own family as well. It was this deterioration that prompted him to found IYADAA.
On Friday, Farai had been walking for 7 days, and had passed through many communities before stopping over in Sharbot Lake. People have been supportive, and yet non-supportive, he said. They have been supportive in that they are encouraging, but have not given much financially.
This walk has been physically challenging for Farai. He said he did some physical training before-hand, but not enough. Part of the preparation, however, Farai believes to be psychological, and he feels well-prepared for that. You cannot think about the 50 kilometers that you have ahead of you. As long as you are putting one foot in front of the other, you are getting somewhere.
For more information about IYADAA and their mission, visit their website at: www.iyadaa.org
Farai Kufakwedu -- photo Meghan Balogh
