AIDS Orphan in Lesotho Selected by HUMNEWS as 2010 'Person of the Year'

NEW YORK, NY, January 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) "Sephora represents millions of children across the African continent, and indeed many forgotten places on the planet, who have lost one or both parents to AIDS," said Joy DiBenedetto, the President and Founder of HUMNEWS.

"While mainstream media focus on technology tycoons and celebrities at this time of year, we wanted to select a vivid, evocative symbol of the pain and suffering shouldered by Africa's youth."

The character composed by HUMNEWS is based on what DiBenedetto terms as "vast amounts of data and knowledge we already know." This includes information from the World Bank, UN agencies, and NGO's - combined with original reporting by HUM staff in Lesotho and from interviews in the field.

The Sephora image reflects an AIDS orphan who has lost both parents to the global pandemic, has been forced to drop out of school at an early age, lacks proper nutrition and health care and is unequipped with the live-saving knowledge to protect her from AIDS and other killer diseases. With life expectancy in Lesotho hovering at around 40 years, 14-year-old Sephora is expected to reach middle-age in just a few years. She represents a global generation of young people still being affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis, 30-plus years after it began.

Lesotho is one of the 116 countries situated in HUM's 'geographic gap' of media coverage. It is one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and has the third highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world - with almost 30 percent of the adult population affected. Every day, 100 children in Lesotho are devastated by the death of a parent. With so few orphanages in the country only about one percent have access to institutionalized care.

An 'orphan' is defined by the United Nations as a child who has 'lost one or both parents'. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 16 million children under 18 have been orphaned by AIDS. Around 14.8 million of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the international HIV and AIDS charity AVERT.

To read the story of 'Sephora' HUMNEWS' Person of the Year feature, go to http://www.humnews.com.

HUMNEWS is a mobile news agency focused on the geographic gap in media coverage that specifically includes 116 countries missing from the world's information supply. HUM's CSR Cooperative initiative is currently a Top 5 Mashable selection for 2010's Most Creative Social Good Campaign.

For further information, contact:

Donnetta Campbell, HUMMEDIA

Ph: +1 203 434-3548

Email: donnettacc@yahoo.com

HUMMedia is focusing on closing the geographic strategic gap in CSR communications. HUMMedia has created powerful social media platforms/products that also benefit a variety of audiences, clients and partners. Twitter/Fbook HUMMedia and CSRCooperative