Durban, South Africa (IRIN) – In 1998, HIV/AIDS activist Gugu Dlamini was beaten to death near KwaMashu township outside Durban after publicly disclosing her HIV-positive status. Her death, an example of the depth of HIV stigma, shook South Africa. Dlamini’s death almost destroyed her daughter, Mandisa, who was just 13 years old when her mother died. Now 25, Mandisa spoke about her experience as part of this year’s Nkosi Johnson memorial lecture, named for South Africa’s youngest HIV activist who died in 2001, at the SA AIDS 2011 Conference.

“Most of you know Gugu Dlamini as a hero, who came out about her HIV status. You don’t know the real Gugu Dlamini, you don’t know her life as a young woman, as a single young parent who was unemployed and the challenges she went through to support her child and support herself, the mistakes and the pain she went through that drove her to be HIV-infected.

“When my mother first got her [government-issued] house in KwaZulu-Natal, men around the area were not happy. They said, ‘She’s unemployed, she’s a single parent, how did she get this house? She slept with a councilor.’ They never believed that a young woman could actually make something out of herself without using her body to survive.

“I remember it was December… when my mother came out about her HIV status. She came to me first and said, ‘Mandisa, I will go and tell everyone about AIDS.’ I didn’t know what AIDS was, but my mother went on national TV and told her story. Her friend came over a few days later and said, ‘Let’s go to a party.’ I never saw my mother again.

“When they were [at the party], people said a guy came in and pushed [my mother] outside and asked her, ‘What are you doing here? You want to kill us all?’ Then they [members of the community] started beating her with anything they could find. When they were done, they pushed her down a cliff and they told the neighbor, who was also [HIV] infected and a friend of my mother’s, ‘Go and tell them to come and fetch their dog, we are done with it.’

“I had to go there with [my mother's] boyfriend to fetch her. We went and looked for help from the neighbors but they wouldn’t because they thought their cars would also be infected and they would die of AIDS.

“I couldn’t go to the hospital until Wednesday and I couldn’t even recognize her because she was so swollen. She had died on Monday.

“I thought my life had come to an end… I can’t explain the pain I went through but I’m sure you can imagine what it’s like… You see your future with that person, you don’t see yourself without that person and suddenly you wake up and she’s not there. Now everything around you has to change – your dreams, your future. I had dreams to be a social worker but no one was there to coach me.

“The person who [took me in and] promised to take care of me as an orphan… she thought she was helping me, but she destroyed my life. Social workers, who said, ‘We’ll look after you, we’ll come visit you,’ they came but they never spoke to me… People who promised to take me to school, they were not there; friends, family – they all ran away.

“I worked at a tavern to survive. I was forced to do terrible things to survive. [At the tavern] I [was] beaten, called a bitch… yet I was only- years old. I know the pain of being pregnant at 15, giving birth on a Friday and on Monday being back at school, going back to the tavern. I know the pain of not having a relationship with your child because you wake up every morning and go to school – you come back at 11 at night [from work] and the child is asleep.

“When I ran away [to Pretoria], I left the child – I didn’t even know where I was going. In Pretoria I was supposed to be placed at a place of safety… the woman who was supposed to place me, she couldn’t. She said to me, ‘Mandisa, I don’t know why but I see something in you.’

“She took me to her home, no one knew where I was, even at her work. She taught me how to be a strong woman, she gave me unconditional love, she protected me.”

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– Provided by Integrated Regional Information Networks.

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JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (TML) – Whenever Hawazen Ebrahim’s family spends an evening picnicking in the desert outside of Medina, it’s her job to jump into the car and drive to the nearest village to load up on extra supplies. During the week, she is responsible for taking the kids to school and picking them up each day.

Ebrahim, 25, doesn’t consider herself an outlaw, nor is she protesting Saudi Arabia’s ban on women driving. She does what many Saudi women do in rural villages throughout the kingdom and drives as part of the everyday responsibilities of managing a household.

Saudi Arabia is regularly criticized by human rights groups and the foreign media for its bank on women drivers, when it comes to women driving in rural areas the authorities have what can best be best described as a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Women who keep a low profile can drive. It’s the worst kept secret in the country.

“The women in my family and the families in my neighborhood think nothing of driving,” says Fawzyyah Hassan, 45, who tools along the roads in areas near Medina. “My husband goes to work before we even get up in the morning and comes home late. Of course, I drive.”

Saudi Arabia’s driving ban isn’t strictly speaking illegal since there is no actual law on the books that prevents women from driving. Sharia – the Islamic code of law – doesn’t address the issue.

Indeed, Abdullah Alami, a Saudi economist who is spearheading the latest campaign to make end the ban, says the law implies that women are permitted to drive. Alami is fighting a quixotic campaign get the Shura Council, the body that advises the king on policy, to consider a petition allowing women to drive.

“You see, Islam calls for protecting women’s legitimate rights,” Alami told The Media Line. “Driving is a right for women, as it is for men. Article 32 of the Saudi Traffic Regulations provides that. It’s prohibited for any ‘person’ driving a vehicle before getting a driver’s license. Based on this text, the term ‘person’ isn’t limited to males.”

Women caught driving in cities don’t face arrest. A Saudi journalist explains that local police agencies follow a basic policy by taking the offending female driver to the police station and having a mahram (male guardian) come to collect her. At the station, the police require the guardian to sign a document promising never to allow his charge to drive again. Refusing to sign the document exposes the guardian to jail time for failing to discharge his duties the protector of the woman.

“I have to admit I never heard of any guardian being arrested because his daughter drove a car,” the journalist says.

Although Saudi Arabia keeps no statistics on how many women drive cars, large numbers routinely get behind the wheel in virtually every rural community where hundreds of miles separate towns and villages.

While men are at work, wives and mothers transport livestock to market and drive tanker trucks to ensure their villages have water. Many Bedouin women act as the principal breadwinners in the family by transporting goods from village to village. Unlike in urban areas, a woman driving in the desert isn’t taboo, but encouraged.

“There is evidence that women who drive in remote villages have earned respect for following traffic regulations,” Alami says. “It’s natural for women in rural areas to assist in making a living in every way possible.”

In 2009, there were so many women driving in the Ha’il region that the Commission on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the mutaween) filed a complaint with the administrative authorities asking that 15 women stripped of all driving privileges. The local authorities ignored the demand because it posed a threat to the families’ livelihood.

Women in the hinterlands have few alternatives to getting behind the wheel. The typical family car in rural areas is a pickup truck with a single bench to seat three people in the cab. But women can’t sit beside a male driver because it puts them in a state of khalwa (seclusion with an unrelated man), which is forbidden. Families can’t afford to hire a profession driver because that would cut into the family income.

In any case, it’s virtually impossible for traffic police and the mutaween to patrol thousands of square miles of desert.

But, the tacit acceptance of women driving doesn’t extend to cities, where the ban is enforced. Indeed, women passengers sitting alone in taxis or cars with private drivers face harassment from men. The harassment has made many families fearful of allowing their daughters or wives to be alone in a car.

Alami, however, says that is no longer a valid concern. “People are more convinced today than ever that there is no justification for preventing women from driving,” he says. “Saudi women continue to drive in various countries around the world. It has become more acceptable for them to drive in their own country.”

There is also anecdotal evidence suggesting that police sometimes turn a blind eye to women driving in the city, at least in Jeddah where a large swath in the northern part of the city is inhabited mainly by wealthy Western-educated Saudis. Police officers are often reluctant to confront influential families that tacitly approve of their daughters and wives driving.

A 26-year-old woman, who asked that her name not be published, says she recently went on a driving spree with a female friend in North Jeddah. “I have a new Hummer. It was late at night and the streets were empty, so we were driving all over the place,” she recalls. “A policeman pulled me over. He said, ‘Don’t drive in the City Centre or to the south,’ and let me go. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world.”

Alami says rural women could serve as role models to their urban sisters. They get behind the wheel to put food on the table and don’t bother themselves with the restrictions their urban counterparts face.

Last month, Alami sent a petition signed by 136 Saudis, including 98 women, to the Shura Council. The petition asks for consideration of a trial-driving phase. The Shura Council can forward a recommendation to the Council of Ministers for approval if it agrees the plan has merit. The petition seeks to specify driving schools available to teach women driving and to issue driving certificates. It also asks that police departments develop women’s sections to handle licensing and violations issues. A key component of the petition asks that stiff jail time and fines be imposed on people harassing female drivers.

Alami also seeks to have Saudi traffic authorities develop vehicle safety checks, highway breakdown programs and an awareness campaign.

A representative for the Shura Council says there was no record of the Council receiving the petition. Alami is undeterred. He is preparing a second petition and seeking additional signatures.

“Saudi Arabia has signed the international conventions of non-discrimination against women,” Almani says, referring to the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. “It is crucial that women aren’t discriminated against, including, and not limited to, driving.”

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You are expected to meet high price tags attached to the vehicles, when you are looking at new cars for sale. You will find there is a reason for that. These cars have never been driven before after all, so you will be the first person ever to drive it away. Prices are not as exaggerated in new car sales dealerships as people tend to think. But to be on the safe side though, research on the new cars for sale that you have eyed first, more so the manufacturer’s prices. This will help you establish a price range which you expect to find the car in. If you find a car at a high price than expected, you can walk away from the car sales dealer, and find another one at the right price. It cannot be understated, how important it is to shop around for new car sales. As soon as the car is drive off the lot, its common knowledge that the car depreciates If you are buying the new car only to resell it, than this should be the only reason to worry. . The assumption is you are buying the car for personal use, and depreciation won’t matter much when you plan on having it around for a long time.

Now that the question of the prices for new cars for sale has been tackled, it is well worth to add the advantages that come with getting your next car from a new car sales dealer. The boost to your ego when you ride in a brand new car was one of the more obvious answers. The new car smell is simply worth the amount you spend on the car. A new car that has not been on the new car sales market for long, is also an emblem on how successful you are. These are highly welcomed bonuses and advantages to having a new car, but of course not the main reasons behind buying one.

The get the promise of functionality when you purchase through a new car sales dealership. This is a car that hasn’t been used before, meaning it has no errors or faults whatsoever. It will also stand by you, if you treat it well over its lifetime with you. In the case with used cars, there are no uncertainties of whether performance is compromised because of poor maintenence. Though this is sometimes a promise you can get with an old car, a new car sales dealer will reiterate it owing to the fact that the car is new. Besides, new cars for sale come with warranties after purchase. Some of the best warranties promise a year of servicing and spare parts with unlimited mileage, at no added cost. It’s simply amazing, and it is certainly something you cannot get with a used car.

How about a quarter of the original price? Is this sounding too good to be true to you? How about less then 10% of the original price? Sounding better? Well guess what, you CAN buy an awesome car at a really cheap price at Government Repossession Auctions and you can even browse for great cars online too.

Yes, you heard me, there are Government Car Auctions and they are there to sell cars that have been seized from people who stopped paying for their cars. So the government has them up for auction so that they minimize their losses as best as they can, and as soon as possible too. You are actually doing them a favor in a way because they want to sell them badly because there are so many of them and they want them off their hands ASAP.

The best part is that they are set up to be auctioned off for pennies on the dollar to the luckiest person who gets it first! And you can certainly be that person with the help of a few simple tips.

1- Have a set budget that you want to keep before you go to the auction.

2- Go to the auction with a car professional you can trust to tell you if the car is in great condition for you to by, or if it has a defect you should avoid. Have him inspect the car BEFORE the auction starts so that you can make an informed decision.

3- Figure out your payment plan and arrange it in a clear way to the appropriate authorities BEFORE you seal the deal.

CLICK HERE if you want to browse the government seized auto auction RIGHT NOW to buy cheap used cars online!

Author: Gloria Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low Cost PCB

If you are looking for a new or used car there are a number of options available to you, as a purchaser, where you can go look for one. You can always peruse the used car sales ads in the local newspaper or at various on line websites. You can go visit and perhaps test drive a new car at a new car sales lot. Or you can attend a used car or equipment auction. The general public doesn’t usually know this but used construction equipment auctions generally have a few used cars included in the auction. However the choices are generally pretty limited. Usually the owner’s wife’s car or the sales staff vehicle. Another option is that you can visit one or more used car lots.

New car lots sell their own brand, or perhaps several brands of new cars. They also may sell the trade-ins they take when they have successfully sold a new car. Sometimes they will consign these trade-ins to a wholesale car auction house that then puts on a wholesale vehicle auction on a regular basis.

Used car lots don’t take in only one brand of vehicle. They may specialize in a particular type of vehicle but they do have an assortment of all types of used or barely used cars for sale on one lot. Some used car lots are huge and have hundreds of vehicles for sale. If you are looking for a used vehicle, it’s fun to visit the various car lots and look and perhaps test drive many different cars.

When you decide to go shopping for a newer car than what you presently own, you need to consider how you are going to pay for it. Also are you going to trade in your old car? Do you have good enough credit to be approved for a car loan? Are you going to make some sort of down payment? All this needs to be decided before actually going in to purchase the car.

At some used car dealers, once the sales person spots you looking, you will be asked to fill out an application for credit right then. In some cases, this will help the sales person or finance office just how much vehicle you can afford. Some dealers will wait until you have looked at several cars before asking you to fill out the credit application.

Ideally, if you have good credit you will have obtained a pre-approved car loan from a third party lender such as a credit union or a bank. Then you can go used car shopping knowing you can negotiate with the sales person and get a better deal on the car.

There is also a network of used car dealers that participate in a form of ‘in house’ financing such as buy here pay here or the acronym BHPH. There are a lot of used cars for sale and lots of options to finance them.

1. Which types of car do you need?
2. How much space do you require?
3. Which is better to buy; Petrol or diesel
4. Know the insurance and service costs
5. Do know whether you want an automatic or manual gearbox.

Where to buy?
1. Franchised dealers: These dealers generally have new cars, which has less mileage. But they charge a lot

2. Independent dealers: They provide the same facilities as of franchise dealer, but they have higher mileage.

3. Auctions: you will get lower prices here but you may get a bad car if a person is not careful.

Buyers beware:
Check the MOT certificate, registration document, call up the earlier owner and ask about the car, see that it is serviced and see that it is insured.

Do test drive:
1. Before buying see that the steering wheel and gear knob have not been damaged
2. Check the interiors that it is not worn out
3. See to it that all the electrics work

Basic checks
1. See to it that the car does not have any dents or scrap in the body
2. Also check that the tyres are not worn out otherwise you have to spend to buy the new tyres
3. Do get an HPI check to see that the car does not have any outstanding finance
4. Also see that it has a spare and a master key.

Peace of mind
1. When you buy a car through a dealer it will give u warranty but u have to pay more for his overheads. When buying a car privately do look after the following things:
2. Don’t buy a car from a person who just gives his mobile number because you can’t find him if something goes wrong with the car.
3. A car looks nice at night or during the rain because of its paintwork so never get influenced by it.
4. Go to the seller’s house to check that the address that he has given in the registration document is correct.

Professional inspection
Before buying a car get it checked by a professional engineer as he will have the right tools and the right equipment and give you the correct picture of the car.

Doing the deal
The seller generally sets the price so don’t pay more than that. If he is ready to give a discount that would be very good. Once you are settled with the price keep the following things in mind

1. Buying privately
Check the car properly because it would be difficult to get your money back again from a private seller.
Try to give a banker’s draft
Make sure that you have all the necessary documents, all the keys.

2. Buying from the dealer
Try to pay through debit or credit as it gives a legal protection. A banker’s draft is still a good way to pay.
Dealers have to correctly describe the car details, otherwise they have to g it has to provide another vehicle or refund the money.

Celebrities these days are far more open about the plastic surgeries they have done. And the ones who don’t need any work are still very inspiring to anyone who is unhappy with their looks. The new and improved techniques that are now available make it possible for nearly anyone to look the way they want to.

Many people still feel that plastic surgery is something superficial, done for vanity, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the right surgery can change a person’s life and how they behave and make decisions.

How Plastic Surgery Boosts Self-Confidence

Everyone has something they dislike about their body. For many people, it’s not a big deal. But for some, it becomes a huge issue. A too large nose, for example, can cause a child to be teased throughout their school years and cruel comments can stick with someone long after graduation. A young girl who has been called “Snuffleuppagus” too many times might find herself staying in more than her peers because she feels ugly. She might avoid contact with guys because she considers herself to be ugly. None of this has to be true, but imagine what a simple plastic surgery could do to improve this young woman’s life?

For some, a flaw that no one else really notices could be the cause of avoiding public functions or limiting themselves in relationships or even activities and jobs, simply because they feel that there is something wrong with them. Making themselves beautiful suddenly becomes possible once they start looking at the stars.

Plastic Surgery Heals Old Wounds

Accidents happen, whether from burns or a car crash or even a simple accident with a knife. While major issues usually have their own plastic surgeries, even small scars can be dealt with to create a more pleasing appearance. In some cases, a scar could represent something that the patient wishes to forget and the removal of it will be something that could, again, drastically improve the patient’s life.

Whether the purpose of plastic surgery is to correct a physical flaw that one was born with (such as a large nose or ears that stick out), or to “fix” something that happened later on (like sagging breasts or a scar), it can be a way to improve the quality of life, increase self esteem and make people feel far better about themselves. It’s quite amazing to see the transformation of someone who felt ugly before and, post-surgery, is able to be content with their looks and feel beautiful, perhaps for the first time in their life.

Plastic surgery is rarely about having the “perfect” body. Even celebrities don’t have perfect bodies. Instead, it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin and looking good when you look at yourself in the mirror. If it takes a few adjustments to get there, who’s to judge? Life could be much fuller and richer for the average person who, inspired by a beautiful celebrity, takes the step to become happier with themselves. Plastic surgery isn’t the solution for everyone, but it is definitely the way to go for many.

Plastic surgery is the medical specialty that is dedicated to the correction of both form and function. In other words, plastic surgery can correct and improve how a person looks and also how a part of the body functions. For example, rhinoplasty can improve the shape of the nose and also the patient’s ability to breathe.

Plastic surgery has been around for centuries, but it was not until the invention of anesthetic procedures, the advent of antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfa drugs, and improvement of infection control techniques that this type of surgery became commonplace.

Plastic surgery employs several techniques to ensure a cosmetically pleasing outcome for patients:

Sutures on the outside are generally removed earlier than in other types of surgeries so as to minimize scarring; the wound remains closed by the use of buried, or hidden, sutures Incisions are carefully planned so as to fall in areas where there are natural folds or lines Wound closure is based on the appropriate choice for the type of surgery, with the goal of minimizing any scarring Use of the most appropriate wound closure for the type of surgery performed and for the patient

There are two subspecialties of plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery and cosmetic or aesthetic surgery. Plastic surgeons are often trained in both, but may choose to specialize in one of these areas. Patients looking for plastic surgery in San Diego can find board certified surgeons that can provide detailed procedure information.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be done to improve appearance. There are many types of conditions that may warrant plastic surgery, such as burns, traumatic injuries, removal of a cancer or tumor, developmental or congenital abnormalities, or disease.

Cosmetic Surgery

The practice of cosmetic surgery is dedicated solely to the improvement or enhancement of appearance using medical or surgical techniques. Cosmetic surgery may be done to maintain, improve, or enhance a person’s looks. Cosmetic surgery is done on an elective basis and has seen an increase in popularity.