School is out. Some students, however, chose to spend the summer in a school bus, plastered with the faces of suffering children and shocking statistics on the growth of AIDS.
Nathaniel Elliott, 18, of Edgewater, Md., is proud of his ride ? the anonymously donated “Living Hope” bus.
“I heard that 40 million people in Africa will be HIV positive before I even graduated high school,” Elliott said. “I don?t know why that really grabbed me but it did, and I started dreaming up ideas.”
Elliott went to his parents with a plan to drive across the country educating people about AIDS and the spread of HIV in Africa while raising funds for schools in Zambia, Africa.
With the help of his father and World Vision, a Christian relief organization, they recruited others. About 30 people applied and a board of directors chose four: Derick Anderson, 23, Christopher Franklin, 21, Tommy Francovich, 17, and Scott Brookens, 18.
“The idea behind the [bus?s] name is to give these children something to live for and wake up to in the morning,” Elliott said.
The team left Washington June 10, and has already visited eight states and raised $12,000.
They speak about AIDS education and show video presentations at youth conferences, schools and churches.
“We give them hard facts and try to make the point that these aren?t just numbers, they?re people and faces,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, by example we can show them that even now while we?re young we can live for something bigger than us.”
The team has been welcomed at every stop and spoiled by supporters offering beds, showers, dinners and occasional bus repairs.
Franklin has been to Africa and “saw the devastation of AIDS in each individual.” He is asking interested groups to donate through the drive. “Come up with creative fundraisers, or donate on the Web site,” he said.
The group hopes to raise $250,000 for six schools offering primary education in Africa. They plan to make 70 stops along the way, ending in Seattle.
Upcoming Itinerary
» DCLA Youth Conference, Washington (Saturday)
» Senior High Program Worship Service, Vienna, Va. (Sunday)
» DCLA Seminars in East Registration Area, Washington (Monday)
» Speaking at St Marks UMC, Good Sheperd UMC, Midlothian, VA (Tuesday)
» Progressive dinner, Horizon Church, Greenville, SC (Wednesday)
