Awassa Press

Port native raises funds for AIDS orphans

NEWBURYPORT — Former Newburyporter John McKay has spent the last four years living and working in Ethiopia, one of the poorest nations in the world. Now he has returned to raise funds for a group that assists children orphaned by AIDS.

McKay initially went to the city of Awassa for an internship with the Awassa Children's Project and Debub Nigat circus (now One Love AIDS Education Theater). His work, which included leading English and art lessons for the community and incorporating gymnastics, music, dance and theater to the Debub Nigat circus, counted as credit toward the completion of his master's degree in sustainable international development at Brandeis University.

In 2006, with the support of Awassa Children's Project, McKay, along with Tesfaye Tekelu and Meshu Tamrat, started the Awassa Youth Campus Ethiopia.

Tesfaye and Meshu were recently granted visas to visit the United States and are a few days into a 45-day, cross-country AYC '08 U.S. Tour. McKay will be able to show the group's co-founders his hometown as the tour stops in Newburyport for a fundraiser tomorrow at the River Merrimac Bar and Grille with all proceeds benefitting the AYC, which has helped more than 5,000 children and performed for 70,000 people across Ethiopia.

McKay has been showing AYC co-founder Meshu all that the "beautiful, quaint little town" has to offer since they landed last Wednesday.

"We're looking forward to meeting more people on Wednesday," McKay said. "We'll be showing a short presentation and video, playing Ethiopian music, doing a meet-and-greet, and maybe even a dance performance."

The fundraiser will also feature an auction, raffles, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

"We wanted to provide resources for children," McKay said. "We wanted to get them involved in the community and also create HIV awareness in the community."

During the seven-month internship, McKay lived in a house with 24 children between the ages of 5 and 14, which reflects Ethiopia's statistic that 44.6 percent of the population is aged 14 or younger. To put it in perspective, Ethiopia's average age is 17, while the median age of Massachusetts is 38.3, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Quite literally, children are the future, which is why the AYC is so important to the Ethiopian community.

AYC activities are designed to complement formal education in schools by providing constructive, creative and expressive outlets for youth. Part of the programming includes developing and implementing youth-driven HIV/AIDS awareness-raising campaigns in the community and throughout the country.

"There's not a lack of information about HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia," McKay said. "But the mediums in which it's delivered weren't necessarily effective. Music, art and dance resonates more, especially with young people."

The three main components of AYC are the Aikido Peace Dojo, a place to learn the martial arts of Aikido, tai chi, yoga and meditation, as well as attend workshops on nonviolent conflict resolution; In-Campus Activities, such as sports, art, music and tutorial and homework services; and Community Outreach Programs, like the One Love HIV/AIDS Education Theater, which brings awareness to tens of thousands of Ethiopians every year.

"The One Love theater tours across the country and performs free of charge," McKay said. "They'll do gymnastics, dance, music, multimedia performances wherever they can — usually on the streets, markets or stadiums."

McKay has been living in Africa on and off, but mostly on, for 10 years. After finishing his bachelor's degree in marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island in 1999, the Newburyport High School alumnus joined the Peace Corps as a rural aquaculture extension agent in Zambia. As of now, McKay has no plans to change his path.

"AYC is a model, and we ultimately see it as a model that can be replicated across Africa," McKay said. "The programs are a tool to promote social change. This tour allows us to educate people about Ethiopia and the program, and put a face on the efforts."

IF YOU GO:

What: Fundraiser to benefit Awassa Youth Campus

When: Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.

Where: The River Merrimac Bar and Grille, 50 Water St.

For more information on AYC or to donate: visit www.awassachildrensproject.org or contact aycethio@yahoo.com.

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