BALI: Friendly People, Fascinating Culture

Bali is one of thousands of beautiful islands in Indonesia, lies to the east of Java and the west of Lombok. Bali is well known as "The Goddess Island" or "The Island of The Thousand Puras/Temples." Bali is also associated with "Paradise", and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, the physical beauty of the island, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving, and the year-round pleasant climate have made Bali Indonesia's unparalleled number one tourist attraction. That's why Bali is also a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island". If it's not enough to convince you that Bali is so gorgeous, know this, the island of Bali is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines as the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Hence, what to do in Bali? The answer is endless. It depends entirely on you and yourself. Bali is a wonderful destination with something for everyone, and though heavily traveled, it is still easy to find some peace and quiet if you like. If you are a spa buff, you will find Bali as the world spa capital - from budget to most exclusive ones. If you are a beach lover, I'm sure you'll rate Bali among the top ten of your beach favorites. If you are an interior or fashion designer, Bali is the place where you can get the most unique and fresh ideas. Whatever you do, there is always a piece of Bali just right for you.

Yes, Bali is multidimensional. Culture, nature, arts, cuisine, sports, shopping, whatever - could be found at their most unique elements in Bali. Even doing nothing comes at its best in this Island of Paradise. During the Nyepi celebration - a yearly tradition where people observe silence, cease from doing any evil, cut out lights entirely. Unquestionably, it is the best remedial solution for your tired soul.

World AIDS Day

As a humanitarian aid organization that focuses on health care and training, International Medical Corps gives a special priority to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Health education campaigns are a large part of this effort, and World AIDS Day is an important international day of action.

As part of its continuing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, IMC projects launched various initiatives on and around World AIDS Day, including:

• IMC in Somalia created youth sensitization campaigns that took place over a three-day period covering prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day IMC mobilized local leaders and community members for a march in four districts, leading to speeches, drama competitions and poetry readings with positive messages about HIV/AIDS.
  
  
• IMC in Azerbajan distributed interactive CD-roms about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases to local NGOs, and had three public events on and around World AIDS Day, including a sport competition and charity concert to raise awareness.
  
  
• IMC in Pakistan developed local language informational pamphlets on HIV/AIDS which were distributed in Basic Health Units, Mother Child Health Centers and refugee schools in camps. They also organizd public gatherings and community awareness campaigns, including question and answer sessions with health care workers.
  
  
• IMC in South Sudan chaired the planning committee for activities in Kajo Keji County, and worked in close collaboration with the County Health Department and local and international NGOs. HIV/AIDS sensitization activities, including workshops, dramas and speeches took place for one week leading up to World AIDS Day.
  
  
• IMC in Liberia collaborated with other NGOs and the Ministry of Health to organize a float parade in the town of Kenema and distribute condoms. A quiz competition for students took place at the town hall. Similar activities were planned for three refugee camps.
  
  
• IMC in Burundi worked with the provincial health authorities and participated in a variety of events to mark the day. The main focus was community mobilization through education campaigns on HIV prevention.

World AIDS Day began in 1988 with the goal of raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic. This year’s theme, “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”, is designed to hold the international community accountable for commitments made last year calling for universal access to treatment by 2010.

ONE Love. Wait 'Til You Hear This

Posted by Joan Faulkner, ONE Regional Field Organizer

05:30 PM Dec 04, 2006

Talk about ONE Love... this is definitely it! (and I still have goosebumps!) At a ONE event this weekend, long time ONE volunteer Edgard Robelo proposed marriage to ONE volunteer Melodie Plummer. Melodie and Edgard met four years ago while attending the University of Central Florida and have devoted many hours to ONE.

They have raised awareness regarding global issues at several events including Daytona's NASCAR event, Project: Darfur with UCF, ONE Orlando's ONE Community Anniversary, Dave Matthews and U2 concerts, the Warped Tour, and planning many more outreach activities with ONE Orlando. Many thanks to Edgard and Melodie and best wishes from your friends in Orlando and the ONE Campaign!

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