Nationwide bus tour takes aim at HIVAIDS in Africa

Two years ago, Maryland native Nathaniel Elliott wanted to do something to get the word out about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa to his peers.

The teen helped spark the Living Hope Bus Tour, which is traveling across the United States to raise awareness among other young adults about the epidemic.

"Having a passion in life gives you direction," said the 18-year-old, who will start college this fall at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

At the Omaha Home for Boys on Tuesday, Elliott and four other young men spoke to a crowd of about 75.

The event was sponsored by the Omaha chapter of the ONE Campaign, a national effort to petition the U.S. government to allocate an additional 1 percent of the federal budget toward providing the basic needs of health, education, clean water and food to countries with extreme poverty.

The idea for the tour came after Elliott's various international travels. He had also learned that about 40 million people in the world are HIV positive -- most of them living in Africa.

The others traveling with Elliott -- Scott Brookens, 18, Derick Henderson, 23, Chris Franklin, 21, and Tommy Francovitch, 17, were recruited through an application process.

After fundraising and gathering donations, the tour started in Baltimore June 10, and will end in Seattle on Aug. 16. The guys are traveling in a donated and renovated school bus.

The tour is sponsored by World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization.

Speaking to churches and various organizations, another goal for the tour is to raise $250,000 to help build schools in Zambia for children orphaned as a results of HIV/AIDS.

"We aren't just trying to have a good time," said Elliott. "We are on a mission to change the world."