Imagine the 2007 Rugby World Cup Stade de France packed to capacity, not a seat to spare. 80 000 people. Imagine 26 such stadiums packed to capacity in a long row. Over 2 million people. This now equals the number of African adults and children that died from Hiv/AIDS just in 2006. The number of children under the age of fifteen that are left to fend for themselves is a staggering 2.3million. We can do nothing about the past except learn from our mistakes and educate people in the future to live healthy, positive lives by uplifting the youth of Africa. Since I was a child, I could always remember these words that my mother, Molly, would tell me “Simon. Live your dreams and help others to do the same. Whatever your destiny, if you seek and find your dreams, you will succeed.” My dream is to touch as many people with the warm spirit of Africa and to educate many more that life is so worth living well, even in seemingly dire conditions. I will paddle the entire coastline of Africa to spread a positive light on this pandemic that has ravaged our continent. Eat healthy, keep fit, be positive and live long. |
