December 14, 2007
IN FROM AFRICA
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Banda and Guiliani smile post-bird-dog |
Americans have the privilege of voting for our next president, but the rest of the world has to live with whomever we pick. That includes sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of lives depend on how much aid our next president decides to give to the region—and if that aid is tied to science-based prevention.
That grave fact is one reason HIV-positive Zambian Sandra Mubiana Banda traveled throughout the U.S. from November 27 through December 6 on a whirlwind tour of colleges and HIV service organizations sponsored by the Student Global AIDS Campaign. In speeches and discussions at Fordham University, Mount Holyoke College, Clark University, and Princeton University, Banda spoke specifically about how the AIDS pandemic is affecting women and girls. In Zambia, Banda counsels other women with HIV. "Women and girls are dying without the information we need," Banda said. "And I was touched that when I met with students they realized the position of privilege and power to help those who are not as fortunate as they are."
And seeing the Housing Works facilities and the care provided to people with HIV/AIDS, Banda was struck by the sharp contrast to Zambia. She said that even when her countrymen have antiretroviral medication, they often don't have food to take it with. "Here it seems like you are really concerned about keeping people healthy and giving them the best possible care," Banda said.
The urgency of Banda's mission prompted her meetings with Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani at two of their campaign stops. "The decisions made by the next President of the United States will decide whether people in my community live or die," Banda said. "I am asking all the candidates for U.S. president this simple question: What is your plan to help end AIDS?" The responses from Huckabee and Giuliani failed to impress her. "Neither of them would commit to providing the funding we need," Banda said.
On her final day in the U.S., Banda toured Housing Works and met with staffers from Sen. Hillary Clinton's office. Banda said the seemed to take her concerns seriously and that Clinton would give "$50 billion or more if that's what's needed" as well as get rid of the Draconian PEPFAR gag-rule on comprehensive sex education funding.