Music and hope took over SMU’s Hughes-Trigg Theater Tuesday night with “One Love,” a philanthropy event hosted by Pi Beta Phi Sorority and The Hill.

According to Mike Reading, group minister, The Hill is “a Christian community that together tries to be the solution to world issues instead of part of the problem.”

The event featured videos by several local organizations that vividly described the crisis in numbers: Every year 3 million people die because of AIDS in Africa.  That means five people die every minute.

According to the Mocha Club, an organization dedicated to funding relief projects in Africa, the price of two mochas can feed one African for a week, educate two Africans for one term, save one African from malaria and get clean water to seven Africans for a whole year. 

That’s why both groups set out to raise money to send AIDS kits to Africa.

For every $30 “One Love “raised, one AIDS kit would be sent overseas to help the victims of this disease.  The Hill even designed special T-shirts – green tees with a transparent Africa over the red emergency cross – for the event, which they sold at the cost of one kit.

“In the busy city, it’s nice to take a night to slow down and notice the weak,” Reading said.  “That’s what this night is all about.”

The event started off with a modest crowd mingling and munching on pizza. Then the performers took the stage.  First was David Ramirez, a Texas native with only his keyboard and guitar to woo the crowd.  He mellowed the feel of the event with his alternative-country style and songs about the pains of love. 

His follow up was local group Charlie, composed of guitar, keyboard and back-up guitar. 

They wrapped up their set in high spirits and dispelled a positive ending to the fundraiser.  They brought the audience together under the truth of the words spoken by Bob Marley: “One love, one heart; let’s get together and feel alright.”