Global Movement to Bring More Aid and Support for AIDS Orphans and All Vulnerable Children
For Immediate Release
New York, 3 May 2007
Global Movement to Bring More Aid and Support for AIDS Orphans and All Vulnerable Children Rallies Elected Officials and Activists on All Continents
63 U.S. Mayors from New York City to Hawaii Proclaimed
May 7, 2007, World AIDS Orphans Day.
NEW YORK - As May 7, 2007, World AIDS Orphans Day (WAOD) nears, 63 U.S. Mayors from New York City to Hawaii have already proclaimed WAOD this year in their cities, in support of more humanitarian and health support for all orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) (see http://www.worldaidsorphansday.org for complete listings).
They join the global movement to support these children, started by Albina du Boisrouvray, Founder and President of François-Xavier Bagnoud International (FXB), an international non-governmental organization that focuses on supporting AIDS orphans and all OVCs and mobilizing public opinion to aid them.
At a related press briefing on April 26, 2007, in Washington, D.C., Angelina Jolie and Global Action For Children (GAC), of which FXB is co-Chair, requested a $2.5 billion per year increase by the U.S. Government for programs that support orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries.
AIDS orphans living with extended families or in foster care are frequently subject to discrimination and are less likely to receive health, education and other needed services. The situation is yet more desperate for those living in child-headed households or on their own on the streets. Their circumstances put them at high risk for HIV, exploitation and abuse, and the lack of access to health care, education and social support perpetuates the conditions of poverty.
Over the last six years, more than 703 mayors and elected officials have supported WAOD in 41 countries. The Boston Globe in early April 2007, in a special report on Albina from Jaipur, India, explained why, reporting: "She’s adopted the world’s AIDS orphans as her cause." Read it by clicking on http://www.parsintl.com/13873.pdf.
Some U.S. WAOD 2007 events are:
Portland, Oregon
The Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition (PAGAC) has organized a panel of people who work with Orphans impacted by HIV and AIDS to meet and discuss the best ways to assist these children.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
WAOD will help launch a Harvard chapter of the national student-led group, the Student Campaign for Child Survival (SCCS). On May 7, Harvard students assisted by the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, will call and send letters to their Senators and representatives about this issue and the students will be invited to become founding members of Harvard SCCS.
New York City
The High School for Global Citizenship - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Global Kids, New York (http://www.globalkids.org)
The High School for Global Citizenship, which is the lead partner of a number of high schools in which Global Kids has programs, is organizing seminars in those schools about AIDS orphans on World AIDS Orphans Day 2007.
Globally, WAOD 2007 events will take place in many countries, namely:
FRANCE
- 25 April-30 May: A donation system for AIDS orphans has been set up via mobile phone to make a 3 euros-donation .
- 26 April-8 May: Poster campaign about AIDS orphans will be featured in the Parisian subway.
- 5-6 May: "Shop for a cause", organized by Kiehl’s. The total of the sales will go for AIDS orphans projects.
SWITZERLAND
- 14 April-21 May: Photography exhibition of FXB children beneficiaries on the Wilson Quay, Geneva.
- 30 April-20 May: Poster campaign on AIDS orphans are being displayed on Geneva public transport buses.
NIGERIA
- 10 May: African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI) presents a day national forum in commemoration of WAOD.
RWANDA
- May: National posters campaign for raising awareness on HIV and AIDS
SOUTH AFRICA
- Candlelight memorial for friends who died from AIDS, followed by a forum about AIDS orphans and how to live determined and healthily in the future.
MYANMAR:
- Children’s program with painting, singing and poetry reciting competition, followed with a children’s rights-based soap opera and traditional Myanmar dance shows.
BRAZIL
- A Conference for Educators for the Public School System about AIDS orphans in Brazil and the world was held.
COLOMBIA
- 7 May: Forum on AIDS orphans with the support of the Foundation Luz de Esperanza and the participation of Ministry of the Social Protection, UNAIDS, UNICEF, local authorities and NGOs.
INDIA
- Events will take place in all 35 states and Union territories. For example, on May 7, OVCs will assemble from different places. Children will carry handouts and printed materials depicting the situation of AIDS orphans in the world. They will visit schools, hospitals, government officials and other personalities to raise the voice of AIDS orphans.
- Many candlelight processions will take place. Multiple seminars are scheduled.
For further information, contact:
Don Casey - FXB USA
150 East 52nd Street, 9th Flr.
New York, NY 10022
afxbcasey@hotmail.com
Phone: 212 697-3566
Fax: 212 697-2065
