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Lobatse, Botswana
US drug company, Botswana agencies fight spread of AIDS in Africa


American pharmaceutical Bristol-Myers Squibb has committed $154 million over the next three years to combat HIV/AIDS in southern Africa.

An official from Bristol-Myers Squibb hands over a cheque to Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program staff. Over the next three years, BMS has committed $154 million to combat HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Pictured are (l-r) Pangesile Mshali, BOCAIP chair; Dr. Ntsatsi, Bristol-Myers Squibb representative; Ian Strachan, Minister of Lands and Needs Ntale; and Edward Baralemwa, BOCAIP National Coordinator. MCC photo by Art Thiessen

A celebration on Jan. 27 marked the beginning of BMS’s partnerships with two Botswana non-government organizations: Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program (BOCAIP) and Reetsenang, a drama group, the first beneficiaries of BMS funds.

Tsholofelo (meaning “hope”) Counseling Centre in Lobatse, Botswana, will also receive money. Art and Ruth Thiessen, members of Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., are coordinators of this centre. They also work part-time as administrators with the national BOCAIP office in the capital of Gaborone.

A crowd of 500 people gathered to mark the event, joining local dignitaries, two government ministers and leaders of the organizations receiving funds. TV cameras recorded the speeches, dancers and choirs. Laughter accompanied the drama by Reetsenang. The cheques were handed over to great cheers.

Grace, a client of Tsholofelo, reluctantly agreed to being interviewed on TV. Only a handful of people in Botswana have publicly revealed that they are HIV positive. She said she was now free to do this openly, not hidden from the camera. With her counsellor and her four-year-old daughter at her side, Grace talked with reporters from South African Broadcasting Company.

Hopefully her courage will complement the Bristol-Myers Squibb fund and benefit many in Botswana who, like Grace, live with HIV/AIDS.

 – MCC release

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Last modified July 16, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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