The message.

I've been periodically watching the Face AIDS booth on the West Mall for a few weeks now without noticing much noise. Occasionally a student will come by and chat it up and then maybe move on, which is more than I can say to reactions campaign enthusiasts are getting. Whatever the case, Face AIDS does not seem to be attacking people and getting in their faces about their message, whatever it may be.

While Green Peace and other groups are hounding me to fill out some information, or scam me into donating, the Face AIDS crowd seems a little more laid back. Their banner is easily noticeable and their message (from what I've read) simple, you can make a difference. The group estimates that for about $125 anually, an AIDS patient can recieve treatment which while obviously not offering a cure does offer a short term spike in quality of life. Face AIDS was created by three Stanford students who had worked in Africa during 2004 or 2005. While abroad, they discovered that the biggest problem for AIDS carriers was their inability to work due to the vast complications while tend to accompany the virus. Their question was, "How can we get these people doing something that will help them raise their quality of life?" The answer came in the form of beads. Elderly AIDS patients (and no carriers alike) were able to craft keychain-type pins out of beads which would be sold on American campuses for a few dollars a pop. The money, unlike some other organizations, would go straight back to the communities which produce the pins helping to buy medication.

Since the beginning of the organization in 2005, more than 85 campuses have started a chapter nationwide including Texas. While I'm not sure about their methods here, from what I've been able to read they are a little more aggresive with public awareness stunts at Stanford. Apparently we're content to just sell the crafts here, but once I make contact with the group early next week hopefully I'll get some more insight.