Press Release - Tuesday, August 15, 2006
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Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn Welcomes African Diplomats, Chicago Artisans to First-Ever JRTC African Market Days to Support HIV/AIDS Programs in Africa
CHICAGO - On Monday, August 14, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn welcomed African diplomats, Illinois vendors and representatives of local groups serving people with HIV/AIDS to "It Takes a Village to Save a Village," a two-day African-style marketplace in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
African Market Days offered an abundance of baskets, fans and masks crafted by African artisans, offered alongside with jewelry, dolls and other craft objects created by Chicago women. A portion of the proceeds from the Market Days has been pledged to the Uganda Orphans Fund and the AIDS Orphan Trust in Zimbabwe. In addition, the market sold AIDS red ribbon pins crafted by Kenyan women for Project Harambee. All three organizations are dedicated to helping women and children with AIDS in Africa.
"By participating in this market, these vendors are giving hope to African women and children in desperate need," Quinn said. "When you think that only $30 will provide a year of school - plus uniforms - for a child in Zimbabwe, you realize that the simple act of shopping at this market can transform a child's life thousands of miles away."
Last December, Quinn and State Rep. John Fritchey joined forces with the ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History and called on Illinois residents to lend their voice in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty. Rep. Fritchey sponsored House Joint Resolution 77 which declared Illinois a "State of ONE" and encouraged everyone to recognize the devastating impact of poverty and AIDS have had around the world and take action to bring about change.
Quinn was joined at Monday's event by diplomatic representatives from South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe. Other speakers included Barry Maram, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Andre W. Rawl, HIV/AIDS Section Chief for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"We hope this marketplace will increase public awareness of the continuing toll of the AIDS epidemic, both in Africa and here at home," Quinn said. "By raising funds for women and children who are affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa, we remind people that we're still fighting this deadly disease throughout Chicago and the State of Illinois."
African Market Days was organized by the Lt. Governor's Office and Selena Derry Awoleye, a Chicago artist and community leader who directs the Ibeji Resource Center in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. The marketplace will include merchandise from more than 15 vendors, as well as jewelry and other crafts made by disabled and economically disadvantaged women served by the Ibeji Center.
The African Market Days project is sponsored by the Office of the Lt. Governor, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Public Aid, Chicago Health Department, Ibeji Resource Center, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Better Existence with HIV, AIDS Care, and various African Consulate Generals.
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