Happy British Columbia Day.

Aboriginal Song & Drum performed by the Siska Dancers






Today is British Columbia Day.  British Columbia is a province in Canada.  This is the province that was destined to be home for me.  I arrived at the Vancouver International Airport and lived in University of British Columbia, in 1996.  It was a very wonderful stay.  From there I moved to Shawnigan Lake which was also very beautiful.  In a couple of months, I moved to the down town area.



British Columbia has been a caring haven for me.  A place to heal many wounds.  After five years of living with AIDS in silence, I became open about my status.  Becoming open caused the federal government to come after me.  It was the Province of British Columbia that assisted me with a lawyer.  It was the Province of British Columbia that provided vital medication for my AIDS.  I really owe my life to the Province of British Columbia.  The province saved my life.  They fought with me throughout my immigration journey of 1998-2010.



What have I done for the province?  Since 1998 when I was released from a deportation, I answered my call to teach HIV/AIDS to anyone who was willing to listen.  I volunteered in schools, colleges, churches and more.  My thinking was that I did not have much time left in the country or in the world.  Why not use the time left making a difference.  And that was really a waking moment for me.  This is my 17th year doing volunteer work as an AIDS educator.



Have I made a difference?  My first group of students who were about 16 years old then, are now about 33 years old and AIDS free, I hope.  Yes, my years of volunteer education has paid off.



Look at this: Closing of Vancouver hospital’s AIDS ward is symbolic of progress (LINK).



It is obvious that education alone cannot bring upon this huge and welcome change, and it does play its part.  I am very proud of British Columbia for their work in reducing the number of HIV/AIDS cases, as well as caring so well for the patients of HIV/AIDS.  I am very grateful that the BC Centre of Excellence is in British Columbia.



British Columbia, thank you for saving my life.  You have invested a lot in me.  May the Creator bless you and give you more.  May I always stand up for you and always give back to you.



My pride and joy is calling you home, British Columbia.  Thank you for everything.  Pamoja.



Happy BC DAY BC!