The concept of the Red Party is simple: a great party with a red theme (the internationally recognised colour of AIDS) with ALL proceeds going to Oxfam Australia's South African AIDS Orphans Nutrition Project. Supported by WAMSS & Interhealth, the project has raised over $70,000 since it's birth in 2007 and has established itself as Western Australia's premier student charity fundraising event.
As well as providing students with an opportunity to contribute to one of the most important global health issues of the modern era, the Red Aware campaign, run in the 2 months prior to The Red Party, aims to raise awareness for HIV and AIDS issues amongst students and the general public. In 2008 this included film screenings, panel discussions & presentations from people living with the disease as well as those working with groups such as the WA AIDS council and Oxfam Australia.
AIDS Orphans Nutrition Project
Many children become orphans as a result of the HIV and AIDS pandemic troubling South Africa. It is estimated that 11 million children in South Africa live in extreme poverty, living on as little as R245 per month, less than $50.00AUD. These children are often required to help in the continuous care of sick family members or otherwise work modest jobs in order to earn an income to provide for the family. Consequently, many are unable to attend school and therefore do not receive an education or any school-based meals. This extreme poverty means that many orphans are left with inadequate water, food, shelter, sanitation, education and support. "Oxfam Australia's South African AIDS Orphans Nutrition Project" is aiming to help such orphans in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. The activities of this project include the provision of emergency food, skills training to establish and maintain community gardens, support enabling orphans to attend school and training programmes to develop income-generating skills.
For more information on this initiative or info on how to get involved, email Nick Watts at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Photos by Alex Wood
