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Background
On December
1, 1998, World AIDS Day, President Clinton highlighted the growing global
tragedy of children orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. At that time,
he directed Sandra Thurman, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy,
to lead a fact-finding mission to the region and to report back to him
with recommendations for productive action.
From
March 27 through April 5, Director Thurman led a Presidential Mission
to Zambia, Uganda, and South Africa. Director Thurman was accompanied
by Representatives Jackson-Lee, Kilpatrick, and Lee, and senior staff
from the offices of Senators Hatch, Helms, and Kennedy, and Representative
Pelosi. Also joining the Mission was a group of community leaders from
outside of government including Mayor David Dinkins, Bishop Felton May,
and William Harris. [Attachment
A: Trip Manifest]
The
goals of the trip were to:
- investigate the
extent of the AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa particularly as it relates
to children orphaned by AIDS;
- identify proven
and promising interventions; and,
- promote leadership
both at home and abroad.
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I believe
that if we could reach to the heart of people, we would always do
better in dealing with problems, for our mind always conjures a
million excuses. We cannot restore to [these children] all they
have lost, but we can give them a future - a foster family, enough
food to eat, medical care, a chance to make the most of their lives
by helping them to stay in school.
President
Clinton, World AIDS Day 1998
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Information
for this report was gathered from meetings with African presidents,
government ministers, donors, experts, providers, children, parents,
and community leaders. In addition, site visits were made to a wide
variety of community-based programs serving children and families affected
by AIDS. Both the meetings and the visits provided an important perspective
on the problem regarding actions taken, lessons learned, and further
progress needed. [Attachment B:
Groups Visited]
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