Press Releases

Americans Help Celebrate Life on World AIDS Day

December 5, 2008

World AIDS Day activities in Mbeya were organized by the Mbeya HIV Network, an association of NGOs supported by the American people through the U.S. Department of Defense's Walter Reed Army HIV Research, in collaboration with the Mbeya City Council. The guest of honor was the Mayor of the City of Mbeya, Mr. Atanas Kapunga. The day kicked off with a 40 kilometer bicycle race with about 50 riders drawn from each ward of each district. The top ten finishers received small radios as prizes.

Other activities included the planting of an additional 500 trees to the 3,000 planted during last year's World AIDS Day activities. The site was chosen because it is the only source of water for the entire city of Mbeya. Planting trees helps preserve this precious water source.

Nine hundred and fifty (950) people received voluntary counseling and testing services; fifty three (53) tested HIV positive and will receive care and treatment at the Mbeya Regional facility that receives support from PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The City Mayor along with Dr. Edward Sekonde, Tanzania Country Director of Walter Reed, handed over 100 wheel chairs to the disabled people of Mbeya. The wheel chairs where donated to a local Mbeya NGO by the Free Wheel Chair Mission, an American charity organization based in California.