Shinner Artist Profile: Meet Siako ‘Osiaklo’

In an effort to highlight the entire project surrounding the Chasing Storms release, we begin the first in a regular set of interviews with Shinner artists and volunteers.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Siaka (pronounced: Seeaka) this Wednesday to talk about his life, work, and the Shinners. Siaka is the man behind the initial design of the Shinners’ ornament work currently focusing on the use of “found objects” – most notably fish bones. Siaka, like so many of the kids he works with, lost both his parents in childhood. Get the interview after the jump.

Donate: Help Change Lives and a Small Bit of the Music Industry

So, here we are after months of work making music, designing digital distribution systems, and creating general materials ready, with pride and much excitement, ready to announce the official release of Erik Shepard’s Chasing Storms.

Chasing Storms is the debut solo album from musician and long-time HEAL friend and supporter Erik Shepard. For those of you who might know Erik’s previous work, Chasing Storms is an amazing collection of acoustic tracks that, while a stylistic departure, is familiar enough to far from disappoint. Erik has decided to experiment with an initial all-digital release for his first solo work and, taking things one step further, has offered this digital release to HEAL as a special donation incentive.

KIPE: International AIDS CANDLEIGHT MEMORIAL

This last weekend, KIPE took part in this year’s 25th Anniversary International AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL. The Candlelight is an opportunity to remember those who have died of AIDS as well as those currently living with HIV/AIDS. The theme, “Never Give Up – Never Forget”, was realized through inner reflection and positive public testimonies by members sharing their experiences on life with AIDS. It was and emotional experience as participants shared tears remembering how they were infected and the spouses, friends, relatives, colleagues, and family members who have succumbed to AIDS.

Candles were lit as our members recommitted themselves to never giving up on the fight against AIDS through HIV prevention, care, and support.

The Price of Food

One hears grumbling no matter where you might call home – Kisumu is no different. Sort of a societal white noise, easily tuned out and familiar enough as to be almost comforting. That said, the general discontent over food prices has gotten loud enough that one is forced to take notice.

By personal account, the price of basic food stuffs (dairy, flour, bread, raw meat, and fruits&veg) in Kisumu has risen by about 5-10% in the 3-4 months that I’ve been here. In the situation of an affluent “muzungo”, this increase has been only now begun to register and even then seems little more than an interesting tidbit. Taking some time to speak to others in Kisumu, however, this increase in food prices has not only been noticed – it has begun to bring up questions of continued quality of life and, in some cases, survival. So, in Kisumu we hear grumbling – In some countries they have had rioting – What might be happening globally?

KIPE April Activity Report from Jim Adede

Below is an excerpt of the KIPE Activity Report for April. Hopefully, you can get a sense of the breadth of there work with people living with HIV/AIDS in and around Kisumu. -Matthew

From the Desk of Jim Adede:

During the month of April (2008), KIPE continued providing on-going group, individual, and couples counseling along with psychological support and the medical treatment of opportunistic infections via a twice weekly clinic. Program members were empowered through specific education addressing disclosure, positive living, prevention of parent to child transmission, importance of partner notification, HIV treatment adherence stressing the negative effects of medication defaulting, challenges affecting men having sex with men (MSM), family law and inheritance, coping mechanisms, stress and stress management, misconceptions regarding male circumcision and HIV risk, drugs and substance abuse, and issues of mutual respect and community sensitization regarding HIV.