GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE October 9, 1998

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COMMUNITY GROUPS

Volunteer travels to Africa to fight AIDS pandemic

by Larry G. Webb

Cleveland-Jason Joyner readily admits that a year ago he was a much different young man than he is today. The prospect of volunteering was alien to his psyche, and he never imagined traveling to Africa for any reason. A lot can happen in a year's time.

Joyner will take volunteering to a new level when he accompanies staff members from the Jeffrey D. Heard HIV/AIDS Counseling and Outreach Center on a month-long mission to Durban, South Africa and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The Heard center's executive director, Akida Sabubu, HIV/AIDS counselor Nellie Ramirez and education coordinator Carolyn Cockfield will leave Cleveland with Joyner on October 17 for the trip.

WOIO Channel 19 will also be sending and reporter Cynthia Barnes videographer who will document the trip. for the entire month.

Joyner's interest in Africa grew when, he says, "two aunts visited Africa in the past year. But I hadn't imagined that I'd be going, let alone going to do [AIDS] outreach."

The outreach in which Joyner will be participating has several components: scouting for new locations to establish branch centers, delivering medical supplies and AIDS medicines to these nations that don't have access to the latest treatments; and offering AIDS prevention and education-especially to pregnant women in an attempt to break the cycle of transmission to infants.

In a trip that will take him to the southernmost nations in African, Joyner will have much to see and many responsibilities to manage. This 22-year old Cleveland native and graduate of John Marshall High School will be very involved in the overall implementation and maintenance of these programs.

As special assistant for African affairs, Joyner will assist in the education process, as well as help determine what the long-range concentration of the center(s) will be based upon observable needs. Other responsibilities include research for establishing the proposed centers as non-government organizations in the African nations and acting as liaison between the African centers and the Heard center's headquarters in the U.S.

Prompted by concerns to do more positive things in his community, Joyner volunteered his time at the Heard center and applied for the position as special assistant. After three interviews with Sababu, he was picked for the assignment.

When asked how this trip will affect him, Joyner said, "the trip will humble

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me. Although this trip to Africa, with all its beauty, will affect me, I anticipate an overpowering, disturbing scene as it relates to the realities of HIV/AIDS in Africa."

Even with what he perceives as an emotionally challenging journey, Joyner

Jason Joyner

is assured, "that it is important that I experience this and know exactly what a pandemic is. We Clevelanders don't realize how well we have it in comparison."

Realizing that, Joyner decided to sacrifice more than time. As this is not a paid position, only his travel, room and board are covered by the center. All of his personal expenses both here and abroad are his own to manage. He said he is “personally saving as much as possible based on my income, although I admit my current job doesn't allow me to leave for a month without any worries."

He said he is grateful to have "friends considerate enough to sponsor a fundraiser for my expenses, including child support."

Although there is personal economic uncertainty, Joyner said, "it wasn't a difficult decision to accept this position. It won't be easy being away from my son, loved ones and friends, but in the long run, considering the contribution that will come and the people who will benefit from this mission, it will be worth the sacrifice."

People interested in assisting the Jeffrey D. Heard Center can contact them at 216-696-7002 or 888-267-3538. Anyone interested in sending donations to Joyner can send them to: Jason Joyner, c/o BlackOut Productions, P.O. Box 14553, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-0553.

Larry G. Webb is a founder of BlackOut Productions

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