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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chellie Kew
Founder, The ‘Q’ Fund for AIDS
503.706.1590
ONE WORD MOVES HUMANITY FROM HOPE TO ACTION
California woman finds a new vision at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — March 3rd 2004 — For Chellie Kew, some of the most fulfilling things in life result from an uphill climb. Kew, founder of a non-profit The ‘Q’ Fund for AIDS, is the author of African Journal: A Child’s Continent. Her moving, photojournalistic essay profiles the children left behind in the wake of the devastating AIDS epidemic that has ravaged most of Africa. Proceeds from the sale of her book have been used to fund the construction of new schools for orphans. The first, the Chimoza Community School in Zambia, which helps 500 children, was completed in the fall of 2003.
Kew’s awareness to the AIDS crises began when she and husband Kevin moved to South Africa in 1997. “I was shocked to discover the number of children who have been orphaned as a result of this disease,” Kew said. “Entire villages are run by children, all adults dead from the virus.” Despite the grim statistics, Kew offers a message of hope. “These children touched my heart in a way that nothing else has. Because many of the children are not infected with the AIDS virus, I realized that, with our help, their lives can turn out quite differently.
”These days, Kew has her sights set on an even “higher” goal. On December 1, 2005, she will observe World AIDS Day by undertaking ONE, a special trek to the summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. Kew has invited outstanding women who have made a difference in the world to join her ONE climb. In addition, she will offer the opportunity to high school girls, who can apply by writing an essay. In some ways the event parallels Kew’s own up-hill struggle to help these extraordinary children – from the establishment of a non-profit organization in challenging financial times to her own near-death experience during a harrowing car crash in the African desert.
ONE represents what Kew feels is most needed in today’s world. “ONE is a visionary quest — a symbolic journey to demonstrate that all humans represent one voice, one people, one world. The plight of these children is the plight of all of humankind. Climbing Kilimanjaro will give us a glimpse of life from a totally new, global perspective. The recognition that we are truly one world is what I believe is needed to initiate change of lasting proportions.”
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