There are currently 22.5 million people living with HIV in sub- Saharan Africa. With this continuing epidemic in mind, a group of University of Western Ontario students, faculty and staff came together to create the group Western Heads East.

Researchers at Western developed a probiotic yogurt that has been proven to improve digestive health, energy and immunity, alleviate the symptoms of HIV/AIDS, and may even reduce the transmission of the HIV infection in women. This yogurt assists in lowering mortality and morbidity due to diarrhea in children and patients with HIV, overall improving their health and nutrition.

Each year, student interns travel to Africa to help teach women to produce, package and sell this probiotic yogurt, which not only helps with health, but also creates sustainable businesses for women to continue after the student interns leave, providing for "their families as well as their villages," said Public Relations Coordinator Amanda Hickey. Since the group's inception in 2004, 48 student interns have travelled to Africa.

Western Heads East is holding a fundraising event on Thursday, March 24 at 5 p.m. in The Great Hall (Room 3335D) in Sommerville House at UWO. At the event, called In The Market, The Great Hall will be turned into an East African market featuring crafts by Tanzanian and Kenyan crafters as well as paintings by local artists.

There will be food, wine and beer, multimedia presentations and a silent auction with packages donated by sponsors including Via Rail and Travel Cuts. There will also be samples of the yogurt, giving guests an idea of what they are supporting. Musical performers Laura Conning, Alex Hughes and Juno award-winner Donne Roberts will be providing entertainment for the night.

Hickey is hoping to see a large student presence at this year's In The Market event. "Because it is a relatively new charity and it's expanding, we're really trying to get the word out there," said Hickey. Tickets for students to last year's event were $25, and by reducing the price for students to $15 this year, Hickey is hoping students will come out to support the cause.

Western Heads East is a group dedicated to raising funds and supporting the exchange of learning experiences, while making a sustainable difference to communities in Africa. Western Heads East began in 2004, and started by setting up programs in Mwanza, Tanzania and has recently spread to include Kenya and Rawanda as well.

This year, guest speakers will include the High Commissioner for the United Repubic of Tanzania, Richard Tibandebage, and Miamuna Kanyamala, the director of the Kivulini Women's Rights Organization in Mwanza, Tanzania. All 48 of the past interns have also been invited to the event where they will share their experiences working with women in Africa. During their time in Africa, each intern keeps a blog, as one of the most important parts of the project is to teach people in London about what's happening in Africa.

The funds raised by Western Heads East go towards sending student interns to Africa, as well as providing equipment needed to produce, package and sell the yogurt.

Tickets are $50 general admission and $15 for students, and can be purchased at the door or online at usc-online.ca/event_registration. asp. For more information about Western Heads East, visit westernheadseast.ca.