Zimbabweans In The Diaspora Fight HIV/AIDS Back Home
World AIDS Day  -  December 1, 2007
Press Release

HIV/AIDS|ZIMBABWE CHARITY, INC. (HAZ),  today (December 1st, World AIDS Day 2007) announced that they are stepping up their efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, as they startup and support five new projects in Zimbabwe. The projects will be located in Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Nyanga. HAZ, as a global non-profit organization comprised exclusively of Zimbabweans, has focused its efforts over the past two years on engaging Zimbabweans at the global level, to be directly involved in lessening the catastrophic impact of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.   Friends of Picardy Drive (FOPD)  is an Oakland, California based non-profit organization providing an online community news and resources directory, fundraising and support for local and global charitable projects.  HAZ will be partnering with FOPD on the new projects.

The 5 projects that were launched by HAZ and FOPD today are:

THE ILANGA SELF EMPOWERMENT NETWORK PROJECT (ISEN):This project will build upon the ongoing efforts of a home-based care project started by a woman offering support and training to single HIV positive mothers in Bulawayo. Please visit, learn more about, and support this project by going to http://www.ILANGA.org

A NEW HIV/AIDS CLINIC: The clinic marks the official adoption of a new HAZ Clinical Services program, and expands on HAZ's ongoing support of two HIV/AIDS clinics administered by the Zimbabwe AIDS Relief initiative in Harare and Mutoko. The new start-up clinic is a joint venture between HAZ and FOPD and will be based in Bulawayo. The new clinic will seek to offer free clinical support to HIV/AIDS patients who currently have no access to clinical services. Please visit and support the Clinical Services Program at http://Clinics.HIVAIDSZimbabwe.com.

THE CHITUNGWIZA ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN PROJECT (COVCP): This project will build upon the ongoing efforts of the Chitungwiza Unit K Seke Baptist Church, which is offering community based support to children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, within the Chitungwiza Unit K community. Please visit, learn more about, and support this project by going to http://www.COVCP.org or to http://www.Chitungwiza.org.

THE HOME OF HOPE CHILDREN’S HOME (HOH): HAZ and FOPD will support on-going efforts to develop a Catholic-run orphanage in Nyanga. Please visit, learn more about, and support this project by going to http://www.HomeofHopeZimbabwe.org.

THE WORLD AIDS DAY STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST PROJECT (WADEC): As part of the HAZ World AIDS Day 2007 commemorations, HAZ conducted its first annual World AIDS Day Student Essay Contest (WADEC). Winners of the essay contest were announced today on SW Radio Africa’s program “HEALTHBEAT”, as well as through the HAZ and it’s partner web sites and mailing lists. FOPD is proud to offer support for this youth focused project. You may also read the summary of the report of the essay contest as well as the complete winning essays on the HAZ Exclusive Publications page on the HAZ web site.

In addition to initiating the afore-mentioned projects, HAZ will also continue supporting the two clinics run by the Allen Temple - AIDS Ministry's 'Zimbabwe AIDS Relief' initiative in Harare and Mutoko, where 600 HIV/AIDS patients are now being treated at no charge. In addition, HAZ provides an online library of HIV/AIDS references (The Zimbabwe Online Library of HIV and AIDS References –ZOLAR), consultancy services, online streaming HIV/AIDS information and exclusive HIV/AIDS publications.

Recently, the Rhodesian raised author, Ms. Doris Lessing won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature. There was much heated debate on one of the Zimbabwean online forums, about whether Zimbabweans can now claim to have won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature – by virtue of their historical association with Ms. Lessing. Sharing the Nobel Prize with Ms. Lessing in this context would bring, and in some cases has brought much pride to Zimbabweans worldwide. Zimbabweans also walk with pride today, at reports that the country’s HIV prevalence rates continue on a steep decline."I guess we feel like we have collectively done something positive as a country", noted Joshua Dziba, the Executive Director of HAZ. HAZ aims to tap into that Zimbabwean collective potential, by engaging Zimbabweans on a global scale, to be directly involved and to work more collaboratively, in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS amongst Zimbabweans. "It is a uniquely Zimbabwean approach at a global level, which brings us a uniquely Zimbabwean satisfaction, which we cannot attain in any other way", continued Mr. Dziba.

This HAZ approach, the global approach to engaging other Zimbabweans in mitigating the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe is new to most of the Zimbabwean members of HAZ. As such, HAZ has sought guidance, and continues to seek guidance, by partnering with other effective, long and newly established organizations, both in Zimbabwe and abroad, who share their vision. As Mr. Dziba explained:

"We as Zimbabweans in the Diaspora may not all have much money to spare, but we all have a talent, skill, or expertise, which if brought into a collaborative effort can help make a difference to at least one life touched by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. We leverage our individual talents in an organized way and also collaborate with our local and international partners such as the Friends of Picardy Drive and the Zimbabwe AIDS Relief, to maximize the impact of our efforts and collective resources. Being a non-governmental organization, HAZ is nonetheless mindful to ensure that the organization’s efforts and initiatives are in line with, and compliment Zimbabwe’s national anti-HIV/AIDS efforts, which are coordinated through the National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe.”

HAZ and FOPD use all funds raised to provide the maximum benefit in an accountable and sustainable way. HAZ also seeks to provide a Zimbabwean perspective to non-Zimbabwean organizations wanting to be a part of the AIDS relief efforts in Zimbabwe, ensuring sensitivity in the work done by non-Zimbabweans, to Zimbabwe’s socio-cultural ways of life. "We could not be nearly as effective without the valued input and assistance of HAZ's experienced staff on the ground in Zimbabwe", said Kevin Monroe, Founder of FOPD.

HAZ uses internet technology to connect talented Zimbabweans around the globe with accountable and sustainable projects which empower children and families impacted by AIDS. HAZ’s approach helps mitigate the “brain drain” of talent from Zimbabwe by reconnecting with that same talent globally and providing a vehicle for continued engagement from afar. “Zimbabweans are contacting us daily to say, count me in … how can I volunteer?” says Joshua Dziba.

"Zimbabweans may be dispersed across the globe, but we believe that all have something to offer in the fight against HIV/AIDS. HAZ wishes to highlight to fellow Zimbabweans that it is not just their individual families, facing HIV/AIDS back home, that need their help now more than ever. It is the whole of Zimbabwe that needs the support of the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora." Mr. Dziba concluded by pointing out that, "as we reflect upon this World AIDS Day 2007, we ought to remember that activism begins by touching just one life and that even though individually we may be just one drop, together we are the ocean."

FACTS:

ABOUT HAZ: “HIV/AIDS|ZIMBABWE CHARITY, INC” was formed in 2005 and is a global organization of Zimbabweans, both in Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora, who are working together to provide effective and sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS amongst Zimbabweans. We are a registered trust in Zimbabwe and a tax exempt, non-profit, public charity organization in the USA, with additional chapters in Canada and the UK. HAZ provides organized support and services through the following six programs:

1. Children’s Services Program
2. Clinical Services Program
3. Community-Based Service Projects
4. Consultancy Services
5. Informational/Educational Services
6. Strategic Partnerships Program

ABOUT FOPD: "The Friends of Picardy Drive" was formed in 2002 and is based in Oakland, California (USA). The organization provides; an online community news and resources directory, as well as support and fundraising for local and global charitable activities. FOPD collaborates with HAZ and ZAR on a number of Zimbabwe projects providing AIDS support and services. FOPD is a registered tax-exempt, non-profit, public charity organization in the USA.

Mr. Kevin Monroe, Founder
Friends of Picardy Drive
P O Box 9272
Oakland, California 94613-0272
USA
(614) 748-9815 Message Center

Mail@FOPD.org

http://www.FOPD.org

ABOUT ZAR: “The Zimbabwe AIDS Relief" is a project of the Allen Temple Baptist Church’s AIDS Ministry and is based in Oakland, California (USA). Allen Temple is Pastored by the renowned Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. The Allen Temple Baptist Church AIDS Ministry was formed in 1989 and has a local focus addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans in the East Oakland community. Its local focus is on providing HIV education and prevention services to youth, youth in foster care, anger management clients and ex-offenders in the greater Oakland community. Since 1999, the AIDS Ministry has been involved in several projects under an initiative called the “Zimbabwe AIDS Relief” project. This project currently administers two HIV/AIDS clinics in Harare and Mutoko and also supports a large children’s home in Mutoko. The Allen Temple Baptist Church is a registered non-profit organization in the USA.

Zimbabwe AIDS Relief / Allen Temple Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. (Pastor)
Sister Gloria Cox-Crowell / Dr. Robert Scott (Co-Chairs)
8501 International Boulevard
Oakland, California 94621-1549
USA
(510) 544-8910 / 544-7505

Mail@ZimbabweAIDSRelief.org / AIDSMinistry@Allen-Temple.org
http://www.ZimbabweAIDSRelief.org   /   http://www.Allen-Temple.org


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALLEN TEMPLE - AIDS MINISTRY

THE ZIMBABWE AIDS RELIEF PROJECT

FRIENDS OF PICARDY DRIVE

COPYRIGHT 2007

*************************************Abbreviated Press Release (Below) *********************************

RELEASE EMBARGO NOTE: DO NOT RELEASE PRIOR TO DECEMBER 1st, 2007.

For more information on HAZ please contact Mr. Joshua Dziba at:
HIV/AIDS|Zimbabwe Charity, Inc., 1200 Centre Parkway, #A, Lexington, Kentucky 40517-3232 USA
(859) 559-4657 (USA) / (517) 977-5680 (USA – Fax) / admin@HIVAIDSZimbabwe.com  /  www.HIVAIDSZimbabwe.com

For more information on FOPD, please contact Mr. Kevin Monroe at:
Friends of Picardy Drive, P O Box 9272, Oakland, California 94613-0272
(614) 748-9815 (USA- Message Center) / (678) 669-9752 (USA-Fax) / Mail@FOPD.org  /  www.FOPD.org

ZIMBABWEANS IN THE DIASPORA FIGHT HIV/AIDS BACK HOME

HIV/AIDS|Zimbabwe Charity, Inc., ("HAZ") announced today (World AIDS Day 2007) that it has stepped up its fight against HIV/AIDS with the startup and support of five projects in Zimbabwe.  Friends of Picardy Drive (“FOPD”) will partner with HAZ on the projects which will be located in Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Nyanga.

The projects announced today are: