Keep hope alive

Stay Alive Program Well Received by African Representatives

March 2006

Stay Alive program director Kelli Houghton, Kevin Clawson of Reach the Children, and Cecil and Linda Ash, who serve as United Families International representatives to the United Nations, reported new and enthusiastic support in March 2006 for the program during a meeting with African delegates in New York City. They met with representatives of several African nations, all of whom expressed great interest in the Stay Alive program.

Ambassador Tens Kapoma and Patricia Chisanga, first secretary over humanitarian and non-governmental organizations for Zambia, were extremely receptive to the Stay Alive program. In particular, they felt that the program correlated with Zambia’s Christian values. They also felt that this program would be effective in teaching the orphans life skills that would strengthen them in every area of their life.

Nicholas Shalita, first counselor for Rwanda, enthusiastically supported the concepts of the Stay Alive program. He mentioned that since 1994 his country has been working to establish prevention measures. The AIDS rate in Rwanda is approximately 10 percent of the population. Shalita contributes a large portion to the rapes that took place during the genocide.

Phesheya Dlamini, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary/ permanent representative for Swaziland, was very intent about his nation’s need for Stay Alive. He said, “Thank you for caring about the children and creating this program. When we (the adults) are gone, the next generation can be salvaged. the ravaging of AIDS is a sobering picture.” He volunteered to take a Stay Alive information packet and meeting notes to brief the king and AIDS delegation for his nation.

Lipuo Moteetee, counselor for political affairs in Lesotho, and her staff were very receptive to the Stay Alive leaders. She promised to brief the ambassador, who was out of town, on the program. She was thrilled with the program and felt that the life skills taught by the Stay Alive program are essential for the next generation. She was impressed that the program is specifically designed for children, since most programs are designed for adults and then taught to children. She thanked Stay Alive leaders for the “shared gift.” Ms. Moteetee believes that the messages taught in the program will help the community to clearly understand how HIV/AIDS is contracted and how the spread can be prevented. In particular, Counselor Moteetee appreciated the concept of girls being empowered. She said this is a powerful tool in not only avoiding HIV/AIDS but in all aspects of girls’ lives