Africa Pictures

If any of you are like me, then you love to have photos tell the story for you. The website http://www.africapictures.com/ is a website that has a wide range of different photos from Africa. These are real pictures that photographers took just for this website. We have spent so much time focusing on the history of Africa that it was nice to look at some of the modern day pictures of Africa.

There are different links on the left side of the page. I chose to look through the cultures/people link first. The first link is photos and a short description of the Mhlongo family. The family of five live a life so different from anything that we know. They are a Zulu family and members of The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints. The photos of this family shocked me. Seeing their living quarters made me appreciate my home so much. And work, the father makes $81 a month after he pays for transportation to get there and back.

The Mhlongo Family

On this website you will also find much more. I enjoyed looking at the photos of downtown Durban, South Africa. Looking at photos of the skyline, it looks like something you would see in the U.S. There are also great pictures of different beaches, malls, people, wildlife, and much more. For anyone that has free time to look through some photo albums, this would be great. This website gave me a better understanding of how Africans live.

Downtown Durban, South Africa

HIV/AIDS in South Africa

I was wanted to learn more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa so I started doing some research on the topic. I mean, we all hear how bad it is, but the more that I learn about it, the more it hurts me. There are nearly 1,000 AIDS deaths everyday in South Africa. There are 5.7 million people living with HIV in South Africa; the situation could hardly be overstated. This information is from the website http://www.avert.org. This website contains alarming information about the reality that South Africa is facing. There are so many people dying that some cemetaries are starting to run out of room. A recent survey showed that South Africans spent more time at funerals than getting their hair cut, shopping, or barbecues. The site lists poverty, social instability, and and lack of government action are all possible causes of why South Africa has been affected so badly.

This website contains much more information. It has a history timeline dating back to 1980. It covers how HIV/AIDS has affected the children in South Africa. It also gives information about HIV prevention campaigns and much more.

I found this website extremely interesting. It is the best information that I have found so far for these blogging assignments. The children especially have a place in my heart. To realize how much these children suffer is horrible. I wish the government would help find a solution to help get this epidemic turn around. These people don't deserve to suffer this way. Hopefully someday, we will find a cure for AIDS and this epidemic can be put to rest.

This is a billboard advertising protection agains HIV

Mombasa, Kenya

Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city. It is located on Kenya's eastern coastline bordering the Indian Ocean. Mombasa is a huge tourist destination with some of the best beaches in the world. The website http://www.mombasainfo.com/ gives some great detail about Mombasa. It covers everything you need to know if you are planning a vacation or just want to know more about the city. This website has recommendations for dining, hotels, attractions, and entertainment.

I wanted to know a little more about this city because of the recent pirate invasions. Although this website has nothing to do with the recent attacks, it is still interesting to learn more about the city where so much is going on. I was also excited to learn more about the beaches there. I love to travel and beaches are my favorite places to visit. Who knows, maybe I will plan a vacation here someday. Kenya has always been an interesting place to me.