A piece of Africa amid glamour event

March 20, 2006

In the midst of the glitz and glamour of Girls' Day Out (March 23–25 at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds), will be a rather stark exhibit that depicts one of the biggest modern day tragedies – the AIDS pandemic.

A world away from fashion shows, extreme dress-overs, celebrity chefs and makeovers is World Vision’s One Life Experience - an interactive exhibit that takes you through the life of a child or young person in Africa affected by HIV and AIDS. You could be Beatrice, Olivia or Timothy, and you won’t know who you are until you put on your headphones and let your MP3 player take you on the journey.

World Vision has built the 150sq m exhibit, One Life Experience, to give New Zealanders a taste of Africa and to help them experience something of what it’s like to live through a pandemic that is affecting 40 million people worldwide.

So why have such an exhibit at a glamour event such as Girls' Day Out?

Lisa Cescon, World Vision’s CEO, says One Life takes people on an at-times heartbreaking journey, but also shows them an answer.

“We’re highlighting a problem – one of the biggest health problems in the world today – but we’re also showing how easy it is to be part of the solution. And that’s powerful for women.

"Young women today are more aware of global issues and more able to do something about them. This is their chance. We’ll take them to Africa, show them the problem, and then give them a way to be part of the solution.”

Miss Cescon said the One Life Experience debuted at Parachute Music Festival in January and more than 5,500 people walked through the experience.

The One Life Experience will be set up in the outside courtyard at Girls' Day Out, opposite the cafe in the main pavilion.