U.N. photo show puts face on world poverty

from Arizona Republic

Dianna M. Náñez

CHANDLER - The lives of eight youths living with poverty around the world touched the lives of southeast Valley residents at Chandler-Gilbert Community College's opening ceremony for a United Nations photo documentary.

Students, faculty and residents who attended this week's "Chasing the Dream: Youth Faces of the Millennium Development Goals" exhibit are the first to see the photo documentary at a U.S. location outside the U.N. building in New York City.

The exhibit examines how each of the eight Millennium Development Goals, which include eliminating extreme poverty and treating and preventing HIV/AIDS, can be accomplished.

The photos and articles in the exhibit chronicle the lives of eight youths in eight countries as they work against the odds to better themselves and their world.

Students such as Amy Fetter, 24, of Chandler, said she felt connected to the stories because they were painted through the eyes of young people. Fetter said she was inspired by their ability to survive.

"I'm learning about the world," she said. "I feel like I'm learning how I can make a difference. I mean if they can, and I have so much more, then I can."

Fetter said that too often youths are deterred from working to effect change because adults explain away issues such as poverty as being too complicated to do anything about.

She said she is excited by her campus' focus on global issues, because instructors are not only explaining world problems, but through exploring campaigns such as the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals they are providing avenues for her involvement.

She took a brochure on the campus' Nothing But Nets Campaign. The project is connected with a global campaign sponsored by the U.N.

The college's goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase 1,000 anti-malarial bed nets to combat the deaths of millions of people who die each year from malaria.

Heather Horn, an English professor who is helping organize the project, said the goal is for every member of the campus community to donate $1.

The Gates Foundation will match the amount, she said.

"Students are understanding the reasons for poverty . . . and seeing with just a dollar they can make a difference," she said. "It's inspiring and gives us all hope."

Librarian Larry Miller said he sought the exhibit as a way to teach students and the community about world issues. Miller said he is often asked how Chandler-Gilbert was able to be the first U.S. site to show the exhibit, which came to the campus after a showing in Belgium.

"We just asked," he said, emphasizing the power of acting on a goal.

Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman said he is honored the exhibit is at Chandler-Gilbert. Berman said he wants to advertise it on his Gilbert government access television program.

Families living in affluent areas like Gilbert, he said, would especially benefit from attending the exhibit to show their kids just how blessed they are.

Al McHenry, vice president and executive vice provost for Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, lauds the exhibit because it highlights youths who are empowered despite plight.