Embassy Events

Ambassador Ned L. Siegel presents over $25,000 to HIV/AIDS Organizations

 

November 30, 2007

On November 29^th, U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel presented checks totaling over $25,000 to four HIV/AIDS organizations.  The funding was provided from the Department of State's Ambassador’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Fund to promote awareness and education about HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas.

The recipients included: 
·        The AIDS Foundation received $5,930 for to conduct a Childcare Workers Workshop to further efforts to assist the caregivers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
·        The Bahamas National Network for Positive Living received $5,000 for Advocacy Training for People Living with HIV/AIDS.
·        The HIV/AIDS Secretariat received funding for two programs:  $5,000 for HIV Education for Young Athletes, a new program that would target education programs for athletes, and $5,455 to expand their successful “Focus on Youth” program to Exuma.
·        The Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living (YAPL) received $4000 to expand their Peer to Peer Education Program to the Family Islands.  YAPL will conduct workshops with Bahamians and in Haitian settlements.

Ambassador Siegel commended all four organizations for playing such a vital role in educating the public about HIV/AIDS and caring for those impacted by the disease.  The Ambassador stressed that there is still much more to be done to win the fight against AIDS.  One of the most urgent challenges today, he emphasized, is for people to learn their status to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Caption - From left: Keith Kemp, Chairman, Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living; Dr. Perry Gomez, Director, National HIV/AIDS Program; U.S. Ambassador, Ned L. Siegel; Rosa Mae Bain, Director, HIV/AIDS Centre; Wellington Adderley, Bahamas National Network for Positive Living (BNN) and Lynette Deveaux, Focus on Youth.