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After my first visit to South Africa several years ago, followed by face to face encounters with so many people struggling to cope and survive, against all the odds, I’ve grown to understand a little more about the effects of poverty, coupled with the ravages of HIV Aids.
I have made a personal commitment to the issue of HIV and Aids, especially with regard to women and children, who have tragically become, more than ever, the prime victims.
Women’s rights must be protected, with regard to the provision of decent education and health care, and against violence, abuse, exploitation, basic lack of respect and support.
All the publishing and recording rights for the song “SING” will be donated to Treatment Action Campaign.
It’s just a beginning... One of the first steps in THE SING CAMPAIGN.
Whichever medium I can use, through interviews in print, radio, TV, internet blogs, films, events...etc..I am determined to continue to speak up, and keep SINGING to spread the message, to try to make a real difference to people’s lives.
Among other things I am a 46664 Ambassador, a Treatment Action Campaign funder and supporter, an Oxfam Ambassador, a Life College mentor and supporter, a Greenpeace and Amnesty International member and supporter, as well as working for the Make Poverty History campaign. Annie Lennox
In the words of Nelson Mandela:
“This epidemic carries the face of women. It is women who bear the burden of HIV and AIDS.
Let every child be a healthy child!
Let us use the universal language of music to sing out our message around the world”!
ABOUT THE SING CAMPAIGN
After personally witnessing Nelson Mandela describe the African HIV pandemic as a genocide, with women and children becoming the frontline victims, Annie Lennox set out to try and do something about it.
That is how the SING campaign started. To raise funds and awareness to bring about support and change.
The money raised by SING helps prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa, and also supports those currently living with HIV.
The awareness it raises is just as valuable - education is a powerful tool.
Comic Relief manages the SING fund, and assists in co-ordinating the SING campaign.
WHY IS IT CALLED SING?
The stigma of HIV is so high that people are afraid to talk openly about the issue, or is close their status. South Africa has a tradition of activist songs and singing, as a way to create solidarity and communicate messages.
When people get together to sing, they become encouraged and inspired. In the words of Nelson Mandela: "Let us use the universal language of music, to sing out our message around the world."
As one of the world's most renowned singer songwriters, Annie Lennox decided to write an anthem that could be used as a symbol of unity and empowerment, and help spread the message to the world.
In the spring of 2007, she invited 23 of the most internationally acclaimed female artists to record their voices on "SING". The recording incorporates the South African activist song, JIKELELE, which means global treatment. JIKELELE was written and recorded by The Generics, who are all members of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), the main beneficiary of SING funds. JIKELE calls for the implementation of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programme across South Africa.
Annie was first invited to Cape Town in 2003, to take part in the inaugural concert of Nelson Mandela's 46664 HIV campaign. It was there that she witnessed first hand the plight of people struggling to cope with the situation - in clinics, orphanages, hospitals and townships.
After years of fighting and winning the struggle against apartheid, the South African people are being devastated by a pandemic which has wiped out a generation of men, women and children.
The country has one of the world's highest HIV prevalence rates, and a third of all pregnant women are HIV positive. Many still do not have access to the medication and support that can prevent mothers passing the virus to their unborn babies.
Whilst in South Africa, Annie had the opportunity to meet Zackie Achmat, the founder of TAC, an exceptional grassroots network working across the entire nation. Eighty per cent of TAC members are women.
WHAT IS THE MONEY SPENT ON?
All the money generated by Annie Lennox and the Sing campaign goes to projects that fight HIV in South Africa. Here are some examples of how that money is spent:
Funding for a £300,000 grant to TAC over three years has come from the SING fund, underwritten by Comic Relief. TAC's work includes programmes that: help people get access to testing and treatment,educate South Africans about HIV, prevent further transmission, TAC is also a strong advocate for women's rights, and lobbies pharmaceutical companies and the government about treatment costs and policies.
More money has been pledged to TAC via the SING campaign in the coming
months. Read more about TAC here.
Annie's performance at the television charity event Spendenmarathon in Germany in November 2008 raised hundreds of thousands of euros for the Vrygrond Community Development Trust , which in conjunction with the Elton John Aids Foundation will use the money to build a community day care centre in Capetown. The centre will provide care and support for those affected by HIV, vulnerable children and caregivers.
HOW MUCH HAS BEEN RAISED SO FAR?
Here are some further examples of the sums of money raised by Annie and the SING campaign.
Sales of the SING record and associated merchandise have raised over £100,000 so far.
At the 20th anniversary of Elle magazine in Berlin in July 2008, an auction raised UR20,000 for the SING campaign.
After Annie appeared on Idol Gives Back, the charity spin-off of American Idol in the United States, they made a donation of $500,000 directly to TAC.
All this adds up to hundreds of thousands of pounds – money generated by Annie personally, and by the SING campaign. Every penny lessens the grip that HIV has on South Africa.
SING badges and bracelets are now available via Annie's store.
We are proud to be able to launch two new products, made exclusively for us by Wola Nani a factory based in South Africa, these simple beaded badges and bracelets lend a unique way to show your support for people affected by HIV and aids. Wola Nani, Xhosa for we embrace and develop one another, was established in 1994 as a non-profit organization to give support to the most vulnerable in the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
All Products are proudly hand crafted by people living with HIV and Aids.
Buying these products helps to maintain dignity and pride for people living with HIV/AIDS by offering them a hand up rather than a hand out.
SING T-SHIRTS
Click on the images to go to the store
SING Tshirts can also be bought direct from the Annie Store. Due to public demand they are now available in Mens, Womens and the original SING vest as worn by the artists from the choir of 23.
Proceeds from the sales of all of the above items go to THE SING CAMPAIGN.
HEY!! I was bored for a minute.. so I was searching around here in "MySpace". Clicked on the "More" features tab.. clicked on "impact".. AND? What to my wondering eyes did appear?? Your blog about Avelile and the SING Campaign! : ) Them's some "Happy Sparkle Thoughts". Well done! * <--- Gold Star Award.
S-a-y-yy, know what?? I am SO excited to be knowing about being able to purchase that amaSING HIV Positive T-shirt that you are always wearing.. that.. well. I just hafta *oof! argh! ummph!* sneak under the table here.. and.. inconspicuously hide- so I can be one of the first to snag one!! : ) Thank you, thank you.. for "DOing", "BEing", and LIVING your very life's essence. Oh yeah.. and.. a hearty applaud for the "perpetually perky" pixies, too!
Hey there! Just danSING through.. as I wanted to drop off a "Happy Sparkle Thoughts" mug of cheer for you. : ) \__/O I do hope thing(k)s are as fabulous for you as my reality says they should be.
Hi...been a long time since I sent a message to everyone on my list...hope this finds you well ;) Sending a smile! Nice to be following you on Twitter :D Peace and Hugs Carol xxx
