Berlin Native Raising Funds For Trip To Cambodia

People were affected by the Boston Marathon in different ways. 

For Berlin native Kelly Kasulis, at the time an Emerson College student and 2012 graduate of Berlin High School, it spurred her on to action. 

"After living on Boylston St. and being present near Copley during the Boston Marathon bombings, I realized that no one should wait to accomplish what they want to," said Kasulis, who is transferring to Northeastern University. "This is my chance to go abroad and make a difference, and I should take advantage of that good health and open time to accomplish something good. As a media major and media intern, I can use the skills I've been fortunate to gather from my education for the better."

Kasulis is planning to travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia for five weeks in Spring/Summer 2014 to raise awareness about the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as stop stigma which widely affects HIV+ and AIDS-inflicted people.

"Using media technology, such as film/television/radio/web development, I will be working towards this cause on a level of mass communication," she said. "Beyond that, I will be working with the community in Cambodia to create a children's program (part of the budget I am attempting to raise) that will last beyond my stay."

The link to support the cause is www.GoFundMe.com/AIDSCambodia, and some prizes are included for different donation levels which she created herself using visual art/writing skills.

The first detected case of HIV in Cambodia was 1991, and now there are over 96,000 people known to be HIV+ there. Individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and their families are often shunned from society for a number of reasons-- people are not aware how HIV/AIDS is spread, and there is a more social stigma amongst those with serious illness. 

The Facebook page for the fundraiser (for updates): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-AIDS-Media-Tech-Activism-Trip-to-Cambodia/496823990389547