WORLD AIDS DAY

http://www.worldaidsday.org/

World Aids Day is on the 1^st of December, it brings people together all around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to demonstrate international solidarity about the disease. This day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the disease and to encourage HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in all countries around the world.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus. When HIV enters someone’s body it slowly attacks and destroys the immune system. HIV/AIDS is a topic that has been greatly discussed and researched due to its’ impact on human beings. Ever since the HIV/AIDS virus was identified, people have been trying to find ways of educating others about this virus. AIDS is becoming a threat in rural area than in cities.

The impact of AIDS epidemic has reflected an annual change in South Africa. The overall number of deaths increased since 1997 to 2007 when 607,184 people died. The raise of mortality rate is not due to HIV/AIDS but it is in young adults, the age group is mostly affected by AIDS causing an increase in the mortality rate. South Africa’s HIV/AIDS causes devastation on children in a number of ways. HIV in South Africa is transmitted through heterosexual sex, with mother to child transmission meaning that being the other is the only infection route. HIV mostly targets young adult meaning it is uncommon for one or more parents to die of AIDS while their children are young. The loss of parents has an emotional impact on children but mostly leave families with financial problems. The extended family plays a very difficult role; there are a number of communication campaigns trying to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. The loveLife campaign has been running since 1999 and uses media to convey direct messages to the teens. The government aims to bring a general discussion on HIV/AIDS by using the media this in turn avoids myths about HIV.

HIV/AIDS testing is important in order to get treatment and can lead to a stage where one protects others from getting infected. Furthermore there are risk reductions for preventing HIV such as using protection.

A red ribbon is a symbol that people use to recognize HIV and Aids and people who live with these conditions. HIV/AIDS is real, people let us stay safe and condomise. By doing so, you not only saving yourself but also other. 

WORLD TEACHER'S DAY

http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/happy-world-teachers-day-%E2%80%93-deputy-minister

Various events are arranged each year in many countries and all around the world, On October 5. These events are arranged to honour teachers in general. This day marks an importance and the contribution made by teachers to those special communities they are placed in. This day also marks contributions made by conferences emphasizing the importance of teachers learning extra training, recruitment drives for the teaching profession among university students, the role that they play in people’s lives as well as in the media.

On this day trade unions such as SADTU, The Australian Education Union, the Canadian Teachers’ federation and many more unions represents teachers and ensures that the public that teachers play an important role in the world. This day is celebrated annually on 5 October across the globe, this day was set aside by the United Nations Education; scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1996. This day is a tribute to teachers and raises awareness, understanding and appreciation for the contribution teachers make to education development.

“Teachers determine our collective ability to innovate, invent and to find solutions for tomorrow. Nothing will ever replace a good. Nothing is more important than supporting teachers.”

World teacher’s day offers an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work. They make a vital contribution to the upbringing of children and they have the responsibility is to eminence education at all stages. We as citizens depend on teachers to have a better future. Teachers deserve our gratitude because of they hard work, they go beyond teaching for god results they also care for the learners. They are mothers and fathers of the nation.

Education is important let us use the opportunity that we have wisely and make a difference in this world. Do not forget an opportunity comes once in a life time. Do not play with it now. The ball is in your court, you have the power to do anything and become anything that you want.

HERITAGE DAY

Modern Culture has replaced our traditional culture.

Heritage day, which is celebrated nationally on the 24th of September, is a day on which South Africans are encouraged to celebrate different cultures and traditions, and it’s a reminder of our roots. Society has moved from a traditional culture to a culture of modernism, and we live in a society where we are too consumed in our westernized lives, and lose sight of culture and the essence of who we are.

Who we are, how we dress, our language and even our hairstyles have evolved, and even though that is the case, heritage is still important, and this day was a great initiative to encourage students to embrace and celebrate where they come from, in order to ensure that culture does not disappear.

Heritage Day should be celebrated because as Africans we need to remember where we come from. People should acknowledge what they ancestors went through in the past as well as to make use of those morals in the present life.

This day which is not only about celebrating customs it is about unity. Therefore heritage is something that everyone should value and see as an important part of life. A person’s heritage is the reason we are where we are.

It is a day that celebrates and encourages cultural tradition in a wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and tradition that makes up the nation of South Africa.

 Therefore the purpose of Heritage day is to emphasize the elements of national unity, nation building, reconciliation and national patriotism within the diverse cultures of South Africa.

Our heritage gives a feeling of belonging and pride of place. Remembering the past and celebrating people’s journey to freedom. The past assists us the younger generation, to understand our present and our present provides us with a sound basis to forecast on our future.

Reflecting what happened in the past undertakes a number of interventions designed to promote our heritage. Living in South Africa is worth celebrating every day .

FRIDAY THE 13TH !

http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/friday_the_13th.htm

Friday the 13^th is considered as an unlucky day in Western superstation. Friday is considered as an evil day ,mainly because of Christianity, Eve  gave Adam the “ apple” and they were kicked out of the garden of Eden, otherwise Friday wouldn’t have been around yet. This is contrary to what is stated in Genesis.

The temple of Solomon was destroyed on Friday and traditionally Jesus was crucified on Friday, the day we now refer to as Good Friday. So Friday being bad luck predated Christianity.

Another biblical reference about Friday the 13^th being considered unlucky , is that Judas one of the twelve apostles  of Jesus who later betrayed him, was supposedly the 13^th guest to sit down at the last supper.

The most common perception about Friday is that 13 is an unlucky number. Friday the 13^th to me is just like any other day. Apart from what I wrote, I wrote it from a biblical point of view. I believe that as a person you must cherish each day and face the challenges for each day as they come. There is no such thing as a bad luck day, if something was bound to happen it will happen.  Yeah it is not about bad luck it is about reality, what you need to do is face you challenges.

WORLD GRATITUDE: 21 SEPTEMBER

Today is world gratitude day. This day is celebrated every year on the 21^st of September. The day was first launched in 1956 at the international East-West Centre in Hawaii during a thanksgiving dinner hosted by meditation guru Sri Chinmoy. The purpose of the day was to foster peace, compassion and gratitude throughout life.

 The question that always arose this day is “what are you grateful for?

Yes come on and answer this question? 

This is a day where individuals express their appreciation for all the good things that occurred in their lives. Looking at this from a political view, it is not only directed to the United States, to make life better for others. The idea was to do this at a global level and recognize the countries contributions.

The day is to foster an attitude of gratitude in people, so that they can appreciate what they have as well as favour the good deeds that others have done for them. Three words are easy to say and yet they mean a lot to the next person. These words are the words that are thought to children at a young age: “Please and Thank you”

 Of course there are several ways of saying thank you, or creating a ways to go about expressing your thanks to people. So say thank you no matter what. Often we as people do not appreciate the things we have until they are gone. So use that opportunity, by telling as well as making sure that your loved ones know that you appreciate them. It is a nice thing to do, and it would be a wonderful thing if people could do it all the time. But doing it even on one day is a good way to start and keeping the tradition going. It wont hurt anyone, but will make everyone happy.

 I am grateful for my daughter, today she is turning 2 years and 3 months. I thank the Lord for keeping her healthy, safe and secure.

http://www.thegratitudelist.org/archives/359

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

International literacy day was first celebrated in 1966. This day was meant to raise awareness in countries all over the world about high levels of illiteracy. On this day activities that promote literacy are planned and carried out throughout the day. According to UNESCO, “a literate person is one who can, with understanding, both read and write a short statement relevant to routine life and capable of analytical understanding of men’s condition in the world.”

The 2011 statics proved that in South Africa 49 million, nearly 5 million are illiterate. In celebrating the day, there is a reminder to the community that of the importance of literacy and learning globally. South Africa is struggling to eradicate illiteracy and providing adequate education. 21 African nations have adult literacy rates below 50% and, in Sub-Saharan Africa alone , about 45  million children don’t go to school.

A literate world is a more peaceful world, harmonious and healthy world. This is a day were we as people pledge to move the literacy agenda forward. At the end the day encourages reading and writing at home, school and everywhere. After all without literacy, education is impossible and without education, economic progress is impossible. Economic progress is the only promise of a better life for all.

Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of a mine, that the child of a farmworker can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. ~ Nelson Mandela

References:

1.   MontBlanc, 2009. ‘South Africa Celebrates World Literacy Day’ from UNICEF South Africa [online]. Available at www.unicef.org [Accessed 25 July 2011]

2.   Altius Directory, 2011. ‘International Literacy Day 2011’ from Altius Directory: Exploring Heights [online] Available at www.altiusdirectory.com [Accessed 25 July 2011]

23 AUGUST: INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE AND OF ITS ABOLITION

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-day-remembrance-of-slave-trade-and-its-abolition

International day for the remembrance of the slave trade and its abolition is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all people. In accordance with the goals of the intercultural project. It reflects on the opportunities for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy, and for analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, America and the Caribbean.
The day is designated by UNESCO to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade. The day is significant because during the night of August 22 to 23, 1791 on the island of Saint Domingue (known as Haiti) an uprising began which set forth events which were a major factor in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Each year on the date UNESCO member states organize events, where young people, educators, artists and intercultural participate. This commitment and he actions used to fight against the system of slavery had an impact on the human rights movement.