World Vision Experience: Aids

After hearing amazing reviews about the World Vision Experience: AIDS exhibit, from my friend Joanne, Sarah and I went to see it Tuesday. The exhibit puts a face on the AIDS crisis in Africa. Actually, it puts four faces on it. The exhibit tells the stories of four children: Babirye, Mathabo, Kombo and Emmanuel. When you enter the exhibit, you are given an IPOD with the story of one of the four children. Sarah and I listened to Emmanuel's story. Using words like "listen" and "exhibit" do not do it justice. The word experience really describes it well. You enter and sit down in Emmanuel's home and travel from his hut, to the nearby banana forest, to the local clinic to see if Emmanuel is HIV positive. It is just incredible.

The exhibit is recommended for children over age ten. Sarah is five but I felt that it was completely appropriate for her. There were no graphic images in the photography, nor graphic language on the IPOD. Without a doubt it is very sad, but Sarah and I have had great conversations about Emmanuel in the last few days. We live in a rich community, in a rich nation, and I want Sarah to see that the world is so much bigger than what she sees every day. She may not have a horse or every Webkin that she wants, but she is a very blessed little girl. I don't think children need to be 10 to start learning that lesson, and frankly, as an adult, I can't remind myself of it enough.

The exhibit is traveling around the country. Check out the website to see the locations and dates. If it is coming to your hometown, take your kids and go see it, you will be so glad you did.