September 7, 2007
with photo
Snipped dreadlocks raise funds for people with HIV and AIDS
by Gladys Terichow
REGINA, Sask.—An auction of 30 dreadlocks at a church here raised enough money for 10 more people living with HIV to receive free drug therapy at the Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria.
The auction, which raised $1,420, is the most recent fund raising efforts undertaken by the Parliament Community Church for this clinic which is supported by MCC’s HIV/AIDS Generations at Risk program.
“We are not just supporting projects—we are supporting people,” said youth pastor, Jason Unruh, explaining a donation of $140 makes it possible for the Nigerian clinic to provide antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for one person for one year.
In March 2007, the youth in the congregation set a goal to raise enough funds to help the clinic provide treatment for six new patients and challenged the church to match this goal of $840. Within four months this fund raising effort had soared to nearly $8,000.
Three small groups in the church had accepted the challenge to match funds donated by the youth and presented additional fundraising challenges to the church. Youth leaders Laura Unruh and Sarah Bekker held a bake sale. Grade 7 student Ian Andvaag raised $75 when he shaved his head.
In late June, Jordan Dyck auctioned his dreadlocks at a Sunday afternoon picnic hosted by Healing Hearts Church in Regina to raise money for more ARVs. Jordan’s mother, Marilyn Dyck, had the highest bid and cut the first lock.
“Jordan had dreadlocks for five years and had not had a hair cut for seven years—in 45 minutes he had short hair,” noted Unruh.
In addition to the funds that have been raised for the clinic, this project is also helping the church make personal connections with people from Nigeria.
Faith Alive Clinic recently sent the church a list of 100 new patients now receiving ARV therapy. The clinic has also given the church a small handmade quilt made by women from the clinic who are part of a sewing class.
In May, the youth invited Marry Tumbo from Tanzania to speak at their church about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Tumbo, who receives ARV treatment, was in Canada at the invitation of MCC Alberta to speak at fundraising events for MCC’s Generation at Risk program.
“Our youth are passionate about this project—what it says to me is that our youth grasp that life is not just about them,” explained Unruh. “Our youth understand that they can do this and make a difference—they understand the value and importance of serving other people and serving God.”
About one in 19 adults in Nigeria live with HIV and 1.8 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Faith Alive Clinic provides in-patient and out-patient medical care for people living with HIV and AIDs and also provides HIV prevention education.
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Jordan Dyck auctioned his dreadlocks to raise funds for the Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria. His mother, Marilyn, submitted the highest bid and cut the first lock.
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