Dr.
Fatma Mrisho, Executive Director for Tanzania Commissions for AIDS
(TACAIDS), joined by AngloGold Ashanti Sustainability Vice President Mr.
Simon Shayo and their colleagues during the launch of Kilimanjaro
Challenge campaign in Dar es Salaam.
Geita
Gold Mine (GGM) in partnership with Tanzania Commission for Aids
(TACAIDS) is set to officiate yet another year of Kilimanjaro Challenge
on 2nd May 2014 at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
This event will be officiated by the President of the United Republic of
Tanzania Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete. The launch will also involve
naming and disbursing of funds to local organizations, which will
benefit from funds raised during the 2013 climb.
The
Kilimanjaro Challenge is an annual activity which aims to raise
awareness on the HIV and AIDS pandemic, provide financial support to HIV
and AIDS initiative and build national team spirit in this noble fight.
Kilimanjaro Challenge remains a multinational collaborative partnership
involving local and foreign companies and individuals from across the
globe for this very noble cause of saving lives from HIV/AIDS, and
giving the people of Tanzania hope of an HIV and AIDS free future. The
initiative aligns the challenge with existing government HIV/AIDS
initiatives and programmes while giving local climbers an opportunity to
climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
According
to the Executive Director of TACAIDS Dr. Fatma Mrisho, “Approximately
1.6 million people in Tanzania are living with HIV and AIDS. This
pandemic is mostly affecting the youth of Tanzania and the disease has
orphaned 1.3 million children. We need to change this therefore TACAIDs
in collaboration with GGM and other various stakeholders through
Kilimanjaro Challenge continues to provide financial support in order to
fight against this pandemic”. She continued to say “We hope to build a
national team spirit in the fight against this menace and I argue other
stakeholders from local and international investors to come forward,
join us and contribute to the Kilimanjaro Challenge fund so that we can
meet our dream of having a zero free generation from HIV and AIDS.”
Speaking
in regard to the event, the Managing director for GGM Mr. Michael Van
Anen said “GGM is proud to be part of this initiative where various
companies which are working locally, could join forces and participate
in this noble course. Currently in its 13th year, the difference in life
changing in the communities is enormously and we are looking forward
for an HIV/AIDS zero Tanzania in the near future” He continued to say “I
would like to argue anyone who would like to join us to visit www.geitakilichallenge.com and see how they can be part of this great initiative”.
AngloGold
Ashanti Sustainability Vice President Mr. Simon Shayo said “Since
Kilimanjaro Challenge initiative started 12 years ago, more than 600
people from different parts of the world have participated to climb Mt.
Kilimanjaro for this noble cause which have raised in access of
US$500,000 per annum. The fund have benefited over 30 NGO countrywide
inorder to fight against HIV and AIDS in Tanzania. Institutions which
had no funds to operate get relieved with these funds from Kili
Challenge; Children, who had lost their parents due to HIV and AIDS, are
now finding care and love and can smile again. We
would
like to acknowledge some of our participating partners, including but
not limited to CAPITAL DRILL, AKO, Wambi Oil, Mantrac, Prime Fuel,
African Barrick Gold, Airtel, Southern Sun, ZARA, MACS, AUSDRILL and
other valued supporters. It is because of you that this noble fight
against HIV and AIDS continues hence ensuring the success and continuity
of this annual event,” He concluded.
Geita
Gold Mine and TACAIDS using the umbrella of Kilimanjaro Challenge in
playing a pioneering role in the awareness on the HIV and AIDS pandemic
and look forward for the day when Tanzania will be declared Zero HIV and
AIDS infection. Accordin to currently national statistics Tanzania’s
prevalence rate has gone down from over 13% in 2000 to 7.8% by 2007 and
as low as 5.1% today.
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