It has been more than 20 years since the world first learned about HIV and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), but, sadly, the epidemic is still raging in many parts of the world. That is one reason why groups in many nations, mark December 1st as World AIDS Day. World AIDS day began in 1988. The goal of World AIDS Day is to increase awareness about the disease in the hope of stopping its spread and gaining funding to help find a vaccine or cure. The need for such a medical miracle is stronger today than many realize. Around the world, there are 42 million people with AIDS, including three million children. Five million new HIV infections were diagnosed last year alone. In Africa, AIDS has reached epidemic proportions, and China, Russia, India, and Indonesia are seeing a sharp rise in the number of cases diagnosed each year The Red Ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around world AIDS day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort, and as a result there is no official red ribbon, and many people make their own. To make your own ribbons, get some ordinary red ribbon, about 1.5 cms wide and cut it into strips about 15 cms long. Then fold at the top into an inverted "V" shape and put a safety pin through the centre which you use to attach the ribbon to your clothing.

Take a moment to read this and thank ALLAH for your health, and pray for those who don't BEIJING (Reuters) - The world's two most populous nations promised on Wednesday to eradicate ignorance about AIDS, a disease that was at first dismissed by many as a Western evil confined to drug users, homosexuals and prostitutes. In the world's poorest continent, Africa, where the epidemic has ripped huge holes in the social and economic fabric, thousands staged rallies to mark World AIDS Day and Botswana's president called on his stricken people to "Abstain or Die." The World Health Organization estimates there are 25.4 million HIV sufferers in sub-Saharan Africa, 60 percent of the global total in a region with 10 percent of the world's population. Activists and governments around the world marked the day with events drawing attention to the disease and promoting its eradication. China, criticized for its slow initial response to HIV/AIDS, put on a public display of commitment to fighting a disease the United Nations fears could infect 10 million Chinese by 2010. In India, where over five million people have already been infected with HIV, the government said it would make greater efforts to promote awareness, especially in rural areas and among the young. "The world can no longer afford to ignore the enormity of the HIV epidemic," Antonio Costa, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told an assembly in Beijing. "The time has come to strike back at a killer that is transmitted by drug use and sex, as well as by ignorance and denial," he said before an audience waving large styrofoam red ribbons, that have come to symbolize the fight against AIDS. In South Africa, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town used AIDS Day to criticize the government, which activists have long accused of moving too slowly against a disease that affects one in nine of the population. "With regard to our government's endless stalling, I am at a loss," Ndungane said in a speech for delivery at an AIDS rally. Vice President Jacob Zuma, speaking at another AIDS rally, turned the problem round and said South Africans themselves must take responsibility. "If everybody takes the messages of abstention, faithfulness or condom use seriously, we can achieve our goal of drastically reducing the rate of infections." Veteran politician Mangosuthu Buthelezi urged congregants at a Cape Town cathedral to break down the stigma of AIDS -- which has claimed two of his children. "AIDS is decimating our people, tearing apart our families, uprooting our communities," he said. In badly hit countries such as Botswana, Swaziland and Zambia, AIDS deaths are robbing economies of workers, families of breadwinners and cutting average life expectancy by decades. Botswana President Festus Mogae told the BBC 37 percent of Botswanans were infected with HIV. "We don't seem to be getting on top of it," he said bleakly. "We have to say things like 'abstain or die'." In Nigeria, Lt Commander Nsikak Ekpe, the head of an AIDS NGO, said poverty and lack of access to information were hampering the fight against AIDS in Africa's most populous country. On the giant Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the head of the local Catholic Church outraged activists by saying condoms had helped spread the deadly virus by encouraging promiscuity. "Condoms do not work. They do not stop the virus getting through," Cardinal Gaetan Razafindatrandraare said in a speech the government had invited him to make. "In fact, they are encouraging young people to behave in a promiscuous manner." Local activists were disgusted. "The cardinal was wrong to say this in public. He has no right to misinform people in this way," said Lalaina Raholiarimanga, Madagascar program coordinator for the UK-based charity Aids Alliance. There were few public events in western and eastern Africa, where speaking publicly about AIDS remains largely taboo. In Uganda, once seen as the epicenter of the disease, an energetic government education campaign has seen infection rates drop from 30 percent in the early 1990s to six percent today. Activists said attitudes toward women and gays were hampering efforts to fight the disease. In Cambodia, straying husbands are accused of spreading AIDS among women and girls. "I would like to send a message to those unfaithful husbands not to bring AIDS home to kill your innocent wife," said national AIDS chief Dr Tia Phalla. But in Thailand, where a mass public awareness campaign in the 1990s has been credited with sharply reducing the number of new HIV infections, youngsters paraded through shopping centers dressed as condoms to distribute condoms to other teenagers. In neighboring Vietnam, with an estimated 85,000 HIV cases, Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien said a stigma remained and in conservative Singapore activists said antiquated laws banning gay sex were hurting the fight against AIDS. In countries like Pakistan information about HIV/AIDS is scant and even the government has little idea how many people are infected.

This one is my favorite poems of all time Phenomenal Woman Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Maya Angelou

^^ LooL...waa runteyd...laakin i don't mind them doing it...it's like a substitution for when eastenders is not on ... haye wiilo...what do u say to Jaceylbaro's latest reply

Dawaco those songs make me want inaan garbasaarteyda xirto and start to shake ...they're nice songs and nice selection don't let old bullies like 'u know who' convince u otherwise my choice

Hmmmmmmmmm and who is that? I hope your not thinking who I think your thinking. Because if you are ... :eek: ...wot are u trying to tell me, you've been stalking him too??...what a love rat (makes me even fonder of him...such a cunning plan) Checkmate...stop flattering yourself ...you know you didn't block me, and still waiting for THAT message to pop up on your screen *good night nomads*

nice topic Classique i love reading books, i could stay in the library for hours on end...sometimes to annoyance of the librarians, like way past the closing time. One book i love reading over and over again is "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou . She happens to be one of my favorite novelists. Anyway, i think it would be cool to have a book group in SOL...soooo what's the first book u suggest Clas?

well....i dont think it's that easy...if u love the person and they do that, you would be broken hearted i wouldnt give the other woman the satisfaction...pshh some B!tch thinking she can do the dirty with my man and then have the cake and eat it too??...hah...i would lure him with my afrodisiac...and when im sure he thinks all is well...i would toss him out like a rusted 2p coin...see who has the last laugh

I already found mine...now i only got to get him to notice me...his PM inbox is soo full by now, i can't get another one in....or maybe he blocked me....but i think that's just me being paranoid oh...what do i do... sigh SUE: U rip off!...4 years for a decent man?? (do u need a partner for that scandalous frim of urs?) Biis

Your self needs some advices, and you know what I mean. So don't validify advices for only memberships :rolleyes: ...i might need advice (who doesnt)...but to take it from you? one must be mad....and u know what i mean OG.Moti...im not a xaasid, in fact im probably the nicest among you...xagee lagu arkay advice labixiyo sanado kabacdi....maskiinta murugo darteed bay ku dhimatay yaa ogaado...and if she is still alive then she probably has some self-esteem problems...all because you wouldnt take a min. to read her post back then let alone leave a reply...tsk tsk

do u know that the new somali president sat behind the united nations flag thinking it his and proudly folding his arms looool...u gotta admit, that one is funny! i could see him doing that Q: How do you kill 50 flys? A: Hit a somailen in the face with a shovel however this one is not...i think someone is confusing us with the ethopians :mad:

Bee, how long does it take for someone to go over that wall??

Posted Previously by Orgilaqe on the Jokes section: HOW TO MAKE LOVE Ingredients: 4 Laughing eyes 4 Well-shaped legs 4 Loving arms 2 Firm milk containers 2 Nuts 1 Fur-lined mixing bowl 1 Firm banana Directions: 1. Look into laughing eyes. 2. Spread well-shaped legs with loving arms. 3. Squeeze and massage milk containers very gently. 4. Gently add firm banana to mixing bowl, working in and out until well creamed. For best results. Continue to knead milk containers. 5. As heat rises, plunge banana deep into mixing bowl and cover with nuts, leave to soak (preferably NOT overnight). 6. The cake is done when banana is soft. If banana does not soften, repeat steps 3-5 or change mixing bowls. Notes: 1. If you are in an unfamiliar kitchen, wash utensils carefully before and after use. 2. Do not lick mixing bowl after use. 3. If cake rises, leave town. ^^^ and u are calling someone sex starved :rolleyes: :rolleyes: the hypocracy nowadays is just highly amusing LooL @ Sheh...ur not kidding yaah the poem in itself is alright, i liked the flow...and um u certainly know how to express yourself lol peace

never mind giving advice, is she even still a member??

aniga waxba kama qabi inaan islamaha iska tiriyo...waxaa habboon ina runta la iska sheego mahan....kuma jiri islamahaan oo kasoo hor jeedaan oona rabaan iney is yareysiiyaan islaan nimada baawa fiican, intaan iin kala tiriyo, ayaan qofkiina jiiq ii dhahoo afka ku dhufan..."qof kaa weeyn sidee saas ula hadli kartaa" camal marka yaa dood ka qabo...(tusbaxeygii wuu i ag yaala...)

oooohhh....i was thinking what am i forgetting has anyone seen The Grudge?...Now that's a movie

Why would someone ever go to the Dusty Mogadishu to seek a woman to marry, illiterate and even more skinny... while we got nice horny and romantic spinsters in the WEST. HORNY SPINSTERS??....walahi waa cajiib...ur obsession with sex nowadays makes me wonder whether ur castrated....always thinking about it but not being able to do anything about it because meeshii waa ebar he, she, she-man...waxaaba tahay adiga ayee kuu taala...do something about that filthy mouth of yours...because ur posts offensive waxii la yiraahdo wey dhaafeen

LoL Msword...cheers luv try it...it's a great money saver too

A wealthy couple had planned to go out for the evening. The woman of the house decided to give their butler, Jeeves, the rest of the night off. She said they would be home very late, and that he should just enjoy his evening. As it turned out, however, the wife wasn't having a good time at the party, so she came home early, alone. Her husband had to stay there, as several of his important clients were there. As the woman walked into her house, she saw Jeeves sitting by himself in the dining room. She called for him to follow her, and led him into the master bedroom. She looked at him and smiled. "Jeeves," she said. "Take off my dress. " He did this carefully. "Jeeves," she continued. "Take off my stockings and garter." He silently obeyed her. "Jeeves," she then said. "Remove my bra and panties. " As he did this, the tension continued to mount. She then said, "Jeeves, if I ever catch you wearing my clothes again, you're fired

A driver tucked a note under her windshield wiper and dashed off: "I've circled the block for 20 minutes. I'm late for an appointment, and if I don't park here I'll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses." Returning, she came back only to find a parking ticket and this note: "I've circled the block for 20 years, and if I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job... Lead us not into temptation."

:eek: :eek: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL hahahahahahaha....dayummmmm shiiiiiiidhhhh.....shiiqi waxaan yiri baawa fusuqa dhan bilaaway mahan loooooooooooool

^^ lol i got another one pretty ugly (has that been said before?)

the borne identity the italian job S.W.A.T I'm all for action movies...no lovie dovie mushy movies

^^ haye ina mari....bacaadka intaan kugu rifo, ayaan cowska ku cun siin lahaa....is keen saaxib...any time any place :cool: