UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

January 1, 2008

children living with HIV in District of Ngororero

Dear friends,
I wish you a Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you peace, joy, good health, happiness and prosperity. This year comes to us with yet more energy and commitment in our fight against HIV and AIDS. Our energy and determination are increasing, more than ever. I have a few ideas in mind and deep in my heart.

Can we say that there is hope that the spread of HIV can be stopped with no new HIV cases among our people? Can we say that all people living with HIV and AIDS who are in need of treatment will get the treatment, support and care they need? Can we? If all these questions were converted into goals they would be ambitious! But, my answer is YES. There is hope to stop the spread of HIV, if you and I are committed to provide support until the spread of HIV is stopped. If you and I continue to build and spread hope among people living with HIV and AIDS.  If every one, collectively and individually, continues the fight against HIV together.

One of my end of the year activities was to share my joy and support with children living with HIV at the Muhororo hospital in Rwanda’s District of Ngororero. I learned many lessons from these children but in particular, I was inspired by their patience, courage, joy, energy and renewed determination.  Definitely, the support you are providing through the work we are doing in the fight against AIDS shows fruits but we still have a long way to go to stop this crisis. Together, we can do something to help children born to HIV- positive mothers. Together, we can prevent mothers from getting infected. Together, we can provide treatment to all HIV-positive children and enable them to reach their adulthood.

One of the children I met was a nice, healthy-looking boy who taught me a game he loves to play. He suddenly stopped in the middle of the game and told me: “You know, I came here today but I actually come here often, because I have to take medicine regularly because I have HIV”.  He said that innocently and quietly. Words were coming out spontaneously yet precisely. The way he expressed his feelings, and the way he articulated his sentence, was very touching. Then, I thought, how long is this child going to be healthy? How long will he live? Can’t we do something to help these children get treatment? Only a few can presently get treatment. Can’t we do something to stop the spread of HIV to these kids? It is frightening to see the rich personalities of these children and then think that they are HIV-positive. If there is no medicine available for them once they need treatment, then how long are they going to live?  We are losing our children---the future of our nations. With your support, together in partnership, we can do something, let’s talk and act until this crisis is stopped.