Jiyoon Jenny Han
It is an honor to be standing here before you today. My name is Jiyoon Jenny Han. I am a junior at Stuyvesant High School, in Manhattan.
While browsing the web, I found out about UNA-USA's national high school essay contest, and I instantly became interested. Conducting extensive research and coming up with an effective method by which I could convey my message were the two most challenging aspects of this contest. Finally, I gathered my thoughts about the issue, and devised a five part proposal to tackle the problem: What can the U.S. do to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases around the world?
The 2008 UNA USA National High School Essay Contest was a perfect opportunity for me to address the concerns of widespread infectious diseases all over the world. The basic outline of the proposal was as follows:
Goal One: To take multilateral — not unilateral — actions.
Goal Two: To foster an atmosphere of global community to offset human ignorance and disregard.
Goal Three: To mobilize resources efficiently.
Goal Four: To work for educational reform.
Goal Five: To encourage prevention over treatment.
It has been an invaluable experience writing a letter to the president, addressing Millennium Development Goal 6. I came to realize that the most destructive forces in nature are neglect and ignorance. Most Americans neglect what is happening in the world: every hour, 1500 people world-wide die from infectious diseases. It is vital that we take MDG 6 into our own hands, and safeguard humanity. I believe everyone can be a part of this project.
You can all be a part of achieving Goal Two: to foster an atmosphere of global community. One obstacle that must be overcome before this goal is reached is the invisible barrier between victims of the diseases and the general public. Victims face demeaning social prejudice and do not receive the sympathy that they deserve. This social barrier must be removed before anything else is possible. According to an anecdotal account on CNN, an emaciated woman had been evicted from her village when it became known that she had AIDS. She was homeless, living under a tree. She had unrelenting diarrhea, little food, and no earthly possessions. She died rejected, abandoned, persecuted and destitute. Even in the U.S., families commonly abandon their own kin who are afflicted with diseases such as HIV and AIDS. As the public becomes more accepting of victims of such infectious diseases, they will feel more comfortable and encouraged to get tested.
At only six years old, Warren Buffet bought 6-packs of Coca Cola from his grandfather’s grocery shop for twenty five cents and resold each bottle for a nickel, earning a five cent profit. Soon, he became one of the wealthiest men in the world and in 2006, Buffet donated 85% of his wealth—worth over $44 billion—to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help combat HIV/AIDS and malaria in third world countries.
The $2000 cash prize I have won from this essay contest is an incomparable amount compared to that of Warren Buffets five cents. I am not so sure if I will become the next world billionaire, but I would like to spend this money to support Little Maestro, a non-profit organization I founded recently. Little Maestro consists of several talented and dedicated teenage musicians from all over the East Coast. We have a couple of benefit concerts each year, and we donate all of our profit to various humanitarian causes. As founder and president of Little Maestro, I have decided that all proceeds from the October 5th, 2008 concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall this year, will be donated to the United Nations in helping carry out MDG 6. All proceeds from this concert will be used to help fight HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for always being by my side, supplying me with faith, love, and hope. Thank you, everyone.
While browsing the web, I found out about UNA-USA's national high school essay contest, and I instantly became interested. Conducting extensive research and coming up with an effective method by which I could convey my message were the two most challenging aspects of this contest. Finally, I gathered my thoughts about the issue, and devised a five part proposal to tackle the problem: What can the U.S. do to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases around the world?
Click to enlarge photo
Jiyoon Jenny Han posing with her award at UNA Member's Day.
Goal One: To take multilateral — not unilateral — actions.
Goal Two: To foster an atmosphere of global community to offset human ignorance and disregard.
Goal Three: To mobilize resources efficiently.
Goal Four: To work for educational reform.
Goal Five: To encourage prevention over treatment.
It has been an invaluable experience writing a letter to the president, addressing Millennium Development Goal 6. I came to realize that the most destructive forces in nature are neglect and ignorance. Most Americans neglect what is happening in the world: every hour, 1500 people world-wide die from infectious diseases. It is vital that we take MDG 6 into our own hands, and safeguard humanity. I believe everyone can be a part of this project.
You can all be a part of achieving Goal Two: to foster an atmosphere of global community. One obstacle that must be overcome before this goal is reached is the invisible barrier between victims of the diseases and the general public. Victims face demeaning social prejudice and do not receive the sympathy that they deserve. This social barrier must be removed before anything else is possible. According to an anecdotal account on CNN, an emaciated woman had been evicted from her village when it became known that she had AIDS. She was homeless, living under a tree. She had unrelenting diarrhea, little food, and no earthly possessions. She died rejected, abandoned, persecuted and destitute. Even in the U.S., families commonly abandon their own kin who are afflicted with diseases such as HIV and AIDS. As the public becomes more accepting of victims of such infectious diseases, they will feel more comfortable and encouraged to get tested.
At only six years old, Warren Buffet bought 6-packs of Coca Cola from his grandfather’s grocery shop for twenty five cents and resold each bottle for a nickel, earning a five cent profit. Soon, he became one of the wealthiest men in the world and in 2006, Buffet donated 85% of his wealth—worth over $44 billion—to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help combat HIV/AIDS and malaria in third world countries.
The $2000 cash prize I have won from this essay contest is an incomparable amount compared to that of Warren Buffets five cents. I am not so sure if I will become the next world billionaire, but I would like to spend this money to support Little Maestro, a non-profit organization I founded recently. Little Maestro consists of several talented and dedicated teenage musicians from all over the East Coast. We have a couple of benefit concerts each year, and we donate all of our profit to various humanitarian causes. As founder and president of Little Maestro, I have decided that all proceeds from the October 5th, 2008 concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall this year, will be donated to the United Nations in helping carry out MDG 6. All proceeds from this concert will be used to help fight HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for always being by my side, supplying me with faith, love, and hope. Thank you, everyone.
