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More than 1,000 people took the chance to visit the World Vision AIDS Experience following its opening in Sacramento at a national convention for Christian youth leaders. The Experience is a 3,000 square foot exhibit that invites those brave enough to enter to live-out the terror, heartache, stigma, fears and hopes of those adversely impacted by AIDS.

As word of mouth spread about the exhibit at the Youth Specialties convention, queues lengthened. At one point more than 100 people were waiting to get in.

Youth Specialties President Mark Oestreicher said afterwards many approached him personally to say it was the most significant thing they had done at the convention.

"It matches the quality of any interactive museum piece in the world — like the holocaust museum in Washington D.C. It really is that level of quality," he said.

Mr. Oestreicher said in addition to confronting visitors with the harsh reality of AIDS, he believed it would also prompt them to practical action.

"For people to be moved to practical action, first their hearts need to be moved, and this is a non-manipulative but extremely moving experience," he said.

Experiencing It

Those entering the Experience are invited to briefly live the life of an African mother, orphan, or child soldier, reeling from the devastation wrought by the disease.

World Vision’s Shawn Blossey, who helped create the Experience, said a number of visitors were shedding tears when they left the exhibit.

"A lot of people said walking through the life of one person helped them to feel what it was like — they added they never felt the same way by just looking at statistics," she said.

The Prayer Wall

Visitors were invited to post a message on the experience's prayer wall. At the end of the convention more than 800 messages and prayers were posted, completely covering the 20 foot long, 10 foot high wall.

One wrote: "I will not let this go unnoticed and unheard by the people with whom I’m surrounded. And we will help you in any way we possibly can."

Another said: "Lord, my heart breaks for these people — help me live my life to help them. I will go to Africa and make a difference with my life. If I don't do something my life will have been for nothing."

Ms. Blossey said the messages of encouragement and support will be forwarded to AIDS affected communities in Africa where World Vision is working.

Don't Miss It

The World Vision AIDS Experience is scheduled to appear at the next Youth Specialties Convention in Nashville from November 17-21 and will be in Seattle on December 1. From there it will travel to other major venues around the country.

To learn more about the World Vision Experience go to: www.worldvision.org/actingonaids.