Have a peaceful Holiday Season

No matter what may be going on all around you today, you can still live in perfect peace. Peace isn’t about what’s going on around you; it’s about what’s going on inside of you.
 (Joel Osteen.) Peace can bring you power in your life. Have a peaceful, powerful, and productive end of year.

Tis the season of giving , be kind to one another . Give to someone different this year, put a smile on the face of a child that is less fortunate.

See you all in the new year . Foadac is off to spend time with the children at the orphanage. Sharing the gifts that you have given them throughout the year.

Have a safe , happy , healthy and prosperous new year.

WORLD AIDS DAY

The world has come a long way since 2000, achieving the global target of halting and reversing the spread of HIV.

New infections have fallen by 35% since 2000 and AIDS-related deaths by 24%. Some 16 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment – more than 11 million of them in Africa. Ten million men in East- and Southern Africa have volunteered for medical male circumcision – a procedure that reduces a man’s risk of contracting HIV by 60%.

But now it’s time to act even more boldly, to take innovative steps so the world can meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending the epidemic by 2030. This September, world leaders agreed ambitious interim targets to fast track efforts to end AIDS.

World AIDS DAY - 2015

TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY!!!
WHAT BETTER TIME TO LOOK AT SOME KEY FACTS (who)

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 34 million lives so far. In 2014, 1.2 [980 000–1.6 million] million people died from HIV-related causes globally.
There were approximately 36.9 [34.3–41.4] million people living with HIV at the end of 2014 with 2.0 [1.9–2.2] million people becoming newly infected with HIV in 2014 globally.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with 25.8 [24.0–28.7] million people living with HIV in 2014. Also sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost 70% of the global total of new HIV infections.
HIV infection is often diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which detect the presence or absence of HIV antibodies. Most often these tests provide same day test results; essential for same day diagnosis and early treatment and care.
There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy and productive lives.
It is estimated that currently only 53% of people with HIV know their status. In 2014, approximately 150 million children and adults in 129 low- and middle-income countries received HIV testing services.

30 years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic

Thirty years ago, we didn’t know what caused AIDS. There was no specific laboratory test to diagnose the condition. And there was little that medicine could offer beyond struggling to treat the myriad, and gruesome, infectious and malignant consequences resulting from the profound immunodeficiency associated with this mysterious new disease. Is it any wonder that fear and ignorance flourished in a climate of such profound uncertainty?

But I can also report that that same climate of uncertainty and dread also bred caring of the highest degree, strong-fisted resolve and relentless action that has helped bring us to where we are today. True, our work toward finding a vaccine and a functional cure for HIV has not concluded, but the prevention and treatment options available to community and clinical providers in this fourth decade of the epidemic could hardly have been imagined in the early 1980s. That’s the good news. But there are also reasons to be circumspect.

Increases in new HIV infections among young gay men, along with recent HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs remind us that our victory over HIV/AIDS is not a given. Whether it’s HIV infection or some other threat to our nation’s wellbeing, we must remember that achieving health is a continual process, not a destination. Our experience with the resurgence of tuberculosis in the U.S. in the latter part of the twentieth century is a cautionary example of what happens when we let down our guard, stepping back from public health efforts because we think that we’ve licked a disease. We must be very careful to avoid that same pitfall when it comes to our efforts to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Caveats notwithstanding, all of us anticipate that science will continue to bring to fruition potent new tools to advance our work in HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We trust that ongoing research will continue to move forward, delivering positive results in the form of vaginal and rectal microbicides, evidence-based operational strategies to improve HIV care outcomes and that pinnacle of success, a vaccine that’s effective in preventing the acquisition of HIV. But at the same time that we put our faith in the ability of science and technology to advance our fight against HIV/AIDS, it’s critical that we remember and act upon those principles that have carried us forward from the earliest and darkest days of the epidemic.

In our efforts to prevent HIV transmission and improve the care of persons living with HIV we must keep foremost in mind that we are not merely dealing with the interplay between a retrovirus and an individual’s immune system; it’s a much more nuanced interaction. Understanding and addressing the relevant social, economic and environmental circumstances of our client’s lives is as important today as it was back in 1981. And while as a nation we may have moved beyond the more blatant, headline-grabbing forms of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV in that first decade of the epidemic, we must continue to confront HIV-related stigma whenever and wherever we encounter it. Finally– and this is a lesson that we should never forget–we are stronger and more effective when we can work together, building bridges across programs, disciplines and perspectives. The fact that biomedical science has tremendously advanced our ability to counter this epidemic should never be misinterpreted to mean that other components of a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS are no longer necessary. Strong leadership, community mobilization, a shared vision of success and an unwavering commitment to empowering our most vulnerable populations must always be at the heart of our work to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic here in the U.S. and abroad.

Dr. Ronald Valdiserri

FACTS that matter

Without treatment, one half of infants living with HIV will die before their 2nd birthday.

Making progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Making progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS

For the first time since the start of the epidemic, an AIDS-free generation is within reach. UNICEF's efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV have made significant progress, with 67% of pregnant women in countries with the highest rate of infection receiving services in 2013. UNICEF-supported prevention programs have also helped reduce new infections among adolescents, but more needs to be done to break the cycle. UNICEF remains committed to a multifaceted approach of prevention, treatment, protection, care and support for children and adolescents who are most at risk.

Staying up to date with whats happening with kids worldwide !

Great Progress, Great Need

According to UNICEF’s A Promise Renewed report, the deaths of children under 5 worldwide have been cut by more than half since 1990. This is one of the greatest global success stories in the last 25 years. In partnership with UNICEF, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) played a leading role in reducing child deaths by increasing access to lifesaving vaccines, quality nutrition, and other cost-effective interventions.

Despite the incredible progress made,

• 16,000 children still die every day -- mostly from preventable and treatable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria;
• Nearly 300,000 women die annually due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth;
• Malnutrition contributes to approximately 45% of deaths among children under 5.

You and I might be guilty of this statement....

You and I might be guilty of this statement, but we can keep working to change it 

" It’s easy to get so wrapped up in fixing your own life that you forget about helping others. And while its important to put yourself first sometimes, it's even more important to help others whenever you can."

Happy Mid week

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens

On my mind !!

“When I have my interview with my God, our conversation will focus on the individuals whose self-esteem I was able to strengthen, whose faith I was able to reinforce, and whose discomfort I was able to assuage—a doer of good, regardless of what assignment I had. These are the metrics of that matter in measuring my life. This realization, which occurred nearly fifteen years ago, guided me every day to seek opportunities to help people in ways tailored to their individual circumstances. My happiness and my sense of worth has been immeasurably improved as a result.” 
― Clayton M. Christensen

I take pleasure in that one smile !!!

People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” – Beth Clark,

Be Valuable and do good

“. . . You are good. But is not enough to be good. You must be good for something. The world must be a better place for your presence and the good that is in you must be spread to others.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley

Service should come form the heart not forced

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.  -Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Sentiments exactly !!

My insides rumbled with joy and laughter when I read this today. So I thought to share it with you all. They are my sentiments exactly , like she read my mind

"People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” – Beth Clark, Kisses from Katie

Never give up ! Try Try Again

Quote of the Month “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
 The most certain way to succeed is always
to try just one more time.”

– Thomas A. Edison
Inventor

Peak a Bo !!

A sneak peak into the event

A message from the Founder/CEO FOADAC, Ethel Caspa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BqgTS-24Ho

Thanks for your support and a successful event !

Hello Everyone,
Hearty greetings, deep appreciation to all our donors, sponsors and well wishers without whom all of these would not have been possible! You believed in us, you defied all odds, put aside other distractions, you cared and dug deep to support an honorable cause - the power of giving oneself to make another happy is your portion. May God bless you and replenish your pockets. 

Enjoy the pictures from one  event - panache check, class check, on time/smooth flow, no hitches and entertaining check-check-check!
For those who could not make it know that you can always donate online 24X7-www.foadac.org/contribute. 
SAVE THE DATE. July 2016 for FOADAC 10th Anniversary one year in advance - no more excuse to have fun and save a life.
Be blessed for God loves a cheerful giver:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ddr5x3f2cxv2lk8/AACyeUxNXvAKkX-ilgHUCUYpa?dl=0
 

Next year is our tenth anniversary , we hope to see you there.

Thanks

ACT NOW !!

Foadac's charity gala is almost here , please stop by our website to get your tickets. Its not too late to do a good deed. No need thinking about it , feeling sorry for disadvantaged kids. Go ahead and do something about it . Attend this elegant event for a great cause.

It is not enough to be compassionate – you must act. -The Dalai Lam

In today's news, Great Strides

USA Today

Cuba ends mother-to-child HIV transmissions

Cuba is the first country to eliminate the transmission of the AIDS virus from mothers to children, according to a statement released Tuesday by the World Health Organization. Cuba had to meet a number of requirements in order to receive the WHO validation, including having fewer than 50 children born with HIV infections out of every 100,000 live births for one year. WHO also recognized Cuba for eliminating the transmission of syphilis to children after the country met a similar standard."

Only a few weeks left to the annual charity event

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know you all have a heart full of Grace and a soul generated by love , So don't make a liar go now to foadac.org and get your tickets and release that kindness that is bursting in you to share.

3 more weeks to go ,do it now . You can't go wrong when you enjoy an evening out , great location , good food , music , and more

Some great quotes that helps our mission

The need is Now

The importance of taking action can be summed up by asking yourself this questions:

Why You? Because there is no one better

Why Now? Because tomorrow isn’t soon enough.

I created foadac because the need is now and with your support some kid with no hope might finally see the light, that you are shinning at the end of that tunnel to take away his /her darkness.

Stop by our website today and extend a helping hand, for it is better to give than to receive !!

Don't be left out , Get your tickets now.

The time is now !! Don't let your summer schedule fill up without this very special event. Get your tickets now to this fun summer Gig for a great cause. Come listen to smooth Jazz to soothe your soul , gain some much needed knowledge , jump start your spirit as you watch some amazing African foot steps, not to mention great food and the after party to get you really excited

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW @

https//eventbrite.com/event/16269044149/

www.foadac.org

International Children's day

International Children's day is June 1st ,
That was yesterday YES for significance , but everyday should be their day  They are wonderful gifts from God and need protection

Most of us had been cared for and loved by parents. 
Now we need to return the favor to our kids and to those kids who have no parents 
Children's minds are like clay, So build them up with love kind affection and positive attitudes.

For orphaned children , life literally took a swipe at them when their parents died, they can use our love and support.

" Our children are the living messages we send to a future we shall never see " Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Here is your chance to show some kindness to the less fortunate

Tickets to attend : https://eventbrite.com/event/16269044149/

To make a donation : www.foadac.org

Whats on my mind today

I like when Facebook says what on your mind.

 Well , I was just thinking of the phrase " A little kindness goes a long way " So am sending out this small reminder of what it means and that it really does not take much effort to complete this task .It means that sometimes even just doing something nice for someone or smiling and saying hello can make a big difference in someone's day and how they're feeling. So please accept my smile and hugs . If somehow you were not having a great day , I hope this helps , if all was going great , then have a blast and be thankful .

FOOD , FUN & ENTERTAINMENT FOR A GREAT CAUSE !!

Tickets to attend : https://eventbrite.com/event/16269044149/

To make a donation : www.foadac.org

FOADAC NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

You may never have been hopeless or hungry but at some point we have all had a need met by someone who came along when we needed them. 

That’s why I volunteer and that's why I hope you will join me help the helpless.
You can do that by attending our fundraiser event which will achieve  that.

We are holding our annual fundraising event this summer to help send much needed supplies to children in the orphanages in West Africa.

Many thanks for your anticipated participation

Please visit our website www.foadac.org for more information.

You can also click on the link below to purchase your ticket or support the cause in any small way.

https://eventbrite.com/event/16269044149/

The news today !!

In today’s news from the Bloomberg School of Public Health in celebration of Global Health Day and Women’s History Month

In observance of Women's History Month, there is much progress to mark for women and HIV/AIDS in America since the emergence of the epidemic three decades ago. Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that HIV diagnoses among females in the United States declined by 49 percent from 2002 to 2011. Additionally, as a result of effective treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women, mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been virtually eliminated in the U.S.
This progress is no small accomplishment, considering the fact that in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, the scientific and medical community failed to recognize women as a target population for research, and they were excluded from clinical trials of HIV/AIDS medications and preventive interventions. This omission proved to be a major public health oversight, and led to a rapid rise in the number of HIV cases among women, who contracted the disease primarily through heterosexual sex. Today, women account for one in four of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in America.
In the U.S., there are striking racial and geographic disparities in new HIV infections and outcomes. While African American women represent just 13 percent of the female population, they constitute 64 percent of new HIV infections and are 14 times more likely to die from AIDS-related causes than white women.
HIV infections are also concentrated in urban areas, such as Washington, D.C., where 1.6 percent of women are HIV positive, a prevalence that is higher than for females living in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, and Liberia.
In addition to being more biologically susceptible to HIV infection than heterosexual men, women's vulnerability to HIV is also driven by social and economic factors. Poverty, sexism, stigma, discrimination, and violence increase risk for infection and are among the many structural barriers that prevent women from getting the information and services they need to prevent HIV or to seek proper care if they are HIV positive.

By Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., and Jennifer A. Sherwood, M.S.P.H     

GLOBAL HEALTH March 20th

Still in the news and needing us to pay attention and offer our help.

"The World Health Organization warned on Friday of a risk of outbreaks of measles, whooping cough and other diseases in West African countries hit by Ebola and urged a rapid intensification of routine immunisations.

The Ebola epidemic has killed more than 10,200 people, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and has reduced vaccination coverage as health clinics and healthcare workers focused on fighting the unprecedented outbreak.

In recent months, Ebola has started to wane with the number of cases falling significantly, though a spike in Guinea this week has also highlighted the risk of complacency.

The epidemic has disrupted delivery of routine childhood vaccines against measles, polio and tuberculosis, and of a combined shot against meningitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B and diphtheria."

Boost your Spring Season with an act of kindness

Every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone.”
This might seem hard to perceive , but it is actually very simple to do if you put your mind to it, even just casually as you go about your everyday life. Think of somebody other than yourself and you will the need to do a good deed for another.

Make that an item on your Spring list and you will feel as fresh as Spring !!!

This quote reminds me of my most recent activity ...

Two weeks ago , I met a young mother at the train station who needed help. In-front of me , I could see that it was going to take a lot to help her. I had a hundred questions as to why she was in this predicament, but something inside of me said "you can do it " So I helped the young lady who had a 4 weeks old baby , a barely one year boy and a 3 year old girl . 

The temperature outside was past freezing so it was not easy for her to handle all three kids.

During the ride , I found out she was homeless and needed a shelter for the night. Long story short , I found a homeless shelter for her that will take women and children and the rest is history - they are now my new found family.  

Which brings me to this quote:

“Every time you do a good deed you shine the light a little farther into the dark. And the thing is, when you're gone that light is going to keep shining on, pushing the shadows back.” 
― Charles de Lint

“If you do good, your good deeds will multiple. If you do bad, you will face the consequences.

 Always choose the former; it is more blessed to live a good life.” 

To my FOADAC friends and family,

Please pray for me and my new family that they can find long term housing and settle down a bit for the sake of the kids. 

Blessings to you and yours

Reminders we need along the way !

“...we should be remembered for the things we do. The things we do are the most important things of all. They are more important than what we say or what we look like. The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died. They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the Pharaohs. Only instead of being made out of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you. That's why your deeds are like your monuments, built with memories instead of with stone.” 
― R.J. Palacio

Making a difference

"Women are Different: Our wold view is different. It's broader , more compassionate and more communal. We see that we're all in this together. When women choose to get involved and make a difference , we want to understand the issues first. What's happening in our community? what can we do to make a better life for all of us? How can we change the odds for families and or children who are struggling ? we want to be educated around these issues, and engage in a healthy dialogue. We want to connect with other women who also believe this is a priority" So ladies help me and encourage the men to make a difference , for it matters !

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Yes we are one month into the new year and I am happy to greet you all and wish you and yours a great year. Hopefully you have had one whole month of bliss and looking forward to many more.
 This year why not be more kind , more giving and more helpful in any small way that you can.
Continue making a difference , shine your light so others can see through their darkness,

This year FOADAC remains in the business of doing just that. We encourage you to join us, by vising our website www.foadac.org
Follow us on Twitter@foadac
Like us on Facebook @ foadac outreach.

Wishing you only the best for the rest of the year and beyond !