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Q&A Exclusive: Charlize Theron

charlize theron

In South Africa, more than half of 15-year-olds face the possibility of dying from HIV/AIDS before age 60. Even scarier, there are twice as many girls living with the disease than guys. 

Whoa, we need a second to take that in. 

Okay, so celeb Charlize Theron is working to change this. We got the inside scoop from the Academy Award winning actress about why she’s taking action.

DoSomething.org: What inspired the idea for the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project [1] (CTAOP)?

Charlize Theron: I was born in South Africa. My home country is 1% of the world's population [2], but almost 17% of the world's HIV positive population. I wanted to try and help raise awareness and channel resources to help change that fact. 

DS: What is CTAOP’s mission?

CT: To help keep African youth safe from HIV. [These teens] in particular face a number of unique challenges including wide-spread poverty, gender inequity...and a general lack of quality education. We work with organizations that understand these challenges [to enable young people here] to protect [3] themselves and their peers against HIV.

DS: Who/what inspired you to take action?

CT: The kids. Every time we go back they continue to inspire me.

DS: Any advice for teens looking to make a difference? 

CT: Educate yourself. Ask questions.  And don’t go in with expectations…jump in with your mind, body, and soul and connect with everyone you meet.

DS: Any final thoughts?

CT: We can make change. We are all one world, and it's our responsibility to reach out to each other.

 

What Can You Do?

  • Background [4] on HIV/AIDS.
  • 11 facts [5] about HIV/AIDS around the world. 
  • Start an awareness [6] campaign about this issue.
Charlize Theron [7]
Charity: 
Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) [8]
Sex Education [9]
Global Health [10]
HIV and AIDS [11]
Sexual Health [12]
Source URL: http://www.dosomething.org/blog/exclusive-charlize-theron-interview

Links:
[1] http://www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org/index.php
[2] http://www.mrc.ac.za/bod/DemographicImpactHIVIndicators.pdf
[3] http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7365.pdf
[4] http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/tipsandtools/background-hivaids
[5] http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-hivaids-around-world
[6] http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/start-awareness-campaign-about-your-cause-your-school-or-neighborhood
[7] http://www.dosomething.org/taxonomy/term/2315
[8] http://www.dosomething.org/category/charity/charlize-theron-africa-outreach-project-ctaop
[9] http://www.dosomething.org/issues/sex-education
[10] http://www.dosomething.org/issues/global-health
[11] http://www.dosomething.org/issues/hiv-and-aids
[12] http://www.dosomething.org/issues/sexual-health