Denver, Colo., Aug 13, 2008 / 07:04 am
Most English majors choose to do their theses on a novel or particular reading genre; however, Sarah Moran, a senior at Regis University in Denver, Colorado decided to travel to the African country of Namibia to receive first-hand knowledge of the Catholic Church’s response to AIDS.
Moran had always been interested in the Church’s social justice teachings, which led her to attend the Jesuit-run university. Her interest in these teachings also drew her to helping those infected with HIV. Upon looking into opportunities to serve, Sarah saw that many organizations ministering to HIV patients in African countries do so by supplying condoms. Knowing the Catholic Church’s firm stance against contraception, Moran was curious as to what Catholic organizations did to assist those with AIDS.
She was put in touch with the Namibian organization, Catholic AIDS Action (CAA), and inquired about volunteering for a month to serve and research for her thesis. Once the contact was made, she recalled, setting up the volunteer experience was “surprisingly easy.” Within “a few weeks of the idea,” she had purchased her ticket and was traveling to the country in southern Africa.
Upon arriving in the country’s capital of Windhoek, Moran related to CNA that she was immediately taken care of by those affiliated with CAA. “I loved the organization,” she exclaimed, “I just can’t say enough words about their work.”