MONROE - A Monroe woman is walking through the orphanages and hospitals of Swaziland this week to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic that has ravaged the African country.
Jennifer Rikkers is participating in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's AIDS Walk Africa. The fundraising and awareness-building event began Monday and continues through Friday.
The walk takes participants to orphanages, clinics, hospitals and communities so they can see the work the foundation does in HIV prevention and treatment. The AIDS epidemic is at crisis point in Swaziland, where it's estimaged almost 40 percent of the population is living with HIV.
This is the second year Rikkers has participated in the walk. She is there with her mother Judy McCormick and cousin Casey Anderson.
The foundation's Web site has a virtual walk, complete with blogs and photos updated daily to follow along with Rikkers and other event participants. It, along with more information, can be found at www.pedaids.org.
Jennifer Rikkers is participating in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's AIDS Walk Africa. The fundraising and awareness-building event began Monday and continues through Friday.
The walk takes participants to orphanages, clinics, hospitals and communities so they can see the work the foundation does in HIV prevention and treatment. The AIDS epidemic is at crisis point in Swaziland, where it's estimaged almost 40 percent of the population is living with HIV.
This is the second year Rikkers has participated in the walk. She is there with her mother Judy McCormick and cousin Casey Anderson.
The foundation's Web site has a virtual walk, complete with blogs and photos updated daily to follow along with Rikkers and other event participants. It, along with more information, can be found at www.pedaids.org.