Press Releases

U.S. Mission helps HIV/AIDS Orphans to Avoid Malaria

October 22, 2007

Misugusugu, Kibaha – Approximately 50 HIV/AIDS orphans in Misugusugu can now sleep without fear of malaria thanks to a donation by the U.S. Government on Monday, October 22. Representatives of the U.S. Mission to Tanzania visited Misugusugu to donate Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets to these young children in need. The U.S. Government-funded HIV/AIDS program TUNAJALI (We Care) and local NGO UMAKI joined in these efforts and provided instruction to care-givers on how to effectively use the nets for malaria prevention.

Plans for addressing the needs of these children were formed after U.S. Ambassador Mark Green joined the community for an Iftaar celebration on September 25, 2007. While in Misugusugu, the Ambassador visited with these orphans and their care-givers and recognized the dire need for assistance.

The donation of these nets highlights the efforts of the U.S. Government and its partners to provide HIV/AIDS orphans with integrated health care – helping them to not only deal with the impact of HIV in their lives, but also protecting them from other dangers, such as malaria. This donation was part of the on-going efforts of the TUNAJALI program, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Speaking on behalf of the center of the Mwinyibaraka Islamic Foundation, Mwalimu Ustadh Abubakar Sultan expressed his thanks to the U.S. Ambassador, UMAKI, and the caregivers who were present for the help which they requested and received. On behalf of the caregivers, Mama Mganda gave thanks for the gifts, saying that the donation shows just how close the Misugusugu community is to the U.S. community. She added that this was just the beginning of the community’s relationship with the U.S. mission.

TUNAJALI, is a $56 million, five-year initiative to prevent HIV and AIDS and provide care and treatment for individuals affected by HIV and AIDS. The TUNAJALI Home Based Care/ Orphan and Vulnerable Children goals are to deliver care and support services to an increasing number of HIV/AIDS-affected households. Services for orphans and other vulnerable children cover health, nutrition, psychosocial needs, education, child protection, shelter, income generation and life skills. The program is implemented by a consortium of partners including: Deloitte Consulting Limited (as the primary) and Family Health International, Catholic Relief Services and Africare.