13 Zim Activists Receive Auxillia Chimusoro HIV & AIDS Awards

Zim medical doctor scoops special HIV and AIDS award

Karen Freeman- Director of USAID

Thirteen Zimbabwean organizations and leaders received awards for their outstanding contributions in mitigating the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic at a colorful ceremony held at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on November 29^th 2007.

The Auxillia Chimusoro HIV and AIDS awards are sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Karen Freeman, Director of USAID, said the U.S. Government has “honored Auxillia’s bravery for seven years now, and will continue to do so.”

Dr Geoff Foster, a consultant Pediatrician with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare based at Mutare Provincial Hospital, won the newly introduced Special Recognition award which is given only to a deserving individual or institution whose actions have made a remarkable impact on the tide of the epidemic in Zimbabwe.  Foster formed Family AIDS Care Trust – Mutare in 1987 after noticing that medical responses to HIV and AIDS were not enough, and that communities needed to become more involved in meeting the broader needs of children infected and affected by HIV.

The arts and media awards went to Patsimeredu Edutainment Trust and Bhingi Werks Unlimited, both theatre groups who were honored for using theatre for developing strategies to engage the public on HIV and AIDS.  

Pastor Maxwell Kapachawo and wife, with U.S. Ambassador James McGee (left) and Minister of Health David Parirenyatwa

The award for Breakers of Silence went to Pastor Maxwell Kapachawo whose “actions and interventions have significantly contributed to breaking the silence around HIV and AIDS in the church.” Kapachawo publicly disclosed his HIV positive status to the nation through the media becoming the first religious leader to openly acknowledge his status. Bulawayo College of Education lecturer Davis Mazodze was also honored in the same category.

Batsirai Group received the Community Empowerment award for its contribution to HIV and AIDS prevention and support of the infected and affected in Zvimba district. The organization was established in 1988, and since then, has selflessly built the capacity of smaller community based groups in an effort to scale-up community based HIV and AIDS interventions. Sister Itayi Marembo was also honored for her work in empowering girls in her community, using creative and sustainable ways such as poetry and drama to provide information on HIV and AIDS.

The Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS category awards was won by Rebecca Chiroodza for her outstanding and consistent contribution to mitigating the pandemic. Mwema Adam, who established many support groups and built their capacity to provide psychosocial support, was runner up in the category.

Sister Pia Chikava also scooped an award in the Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and Youth category for going “beyond the normal call of duty for the past 40 yrs to provide humanitarian assistance especially around HIV and AIDS services to orphans and vulnerable children including the youth in the Midlands province. Farm Orphan Support Trust (FOST) was runner up in the category for its commitment to finding sustainable ways to reducing the impact and mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS on children and young people in farm communities.

In the Corporate Sector category, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines was recognized for its significant contribution in mitigating the HIV and AIDS crisis in the workplace and the community by putting in place a comprehensive work-based policy and program. The runner up award in the category went to the Royal Harare Golf Club for its “unique” initiative of raising awareness on HIV and AIDS for its staff particularly the caddies.

Congratulating the winners, James McGee, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe lauded their “dedication and commitment” noting that the event is “an occasion that honors the results of the strong partnership between the U.S. Government and the committed leaders and people of Zimbabwe.”

“Results have been achieved through the work of talented and dedicated people in-country, including faith based, community-based, and other humanitarian organizations.  As we congratulate the Auxillia Chimusoro awardees, I make a special appeal to all of you to continue to save and improve the lives of as many people as we can,” said the U.S. Ambassador who presented his credentials to the Zimbabwean President on November 22^nd 2007.

The Auxillia Chimusoro HIV and AIDS awards are part of the U.S. Government’s comprehensive support package for HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. In 2007, the U.S. committed US$30 million to supporting various HIV and AIDS activities in Zimbabwe managed by USAID, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State, and the Department of Defense.

“USAID is supporting voluntary counseling and testing centers, successful commercial sales of male and female condoms, orphans and vulnerable children interventions, as well as pediatric AIDS prevention, home-based care activities, and supply and delivery of anti-retroviral drugs to selected sites.  Additionally, we supply food and nutrition to those who are chronically ill or vulnerable and to hospitals – which is part of USAID’s holistic approach to the epidemic,” said Freeman.

Issued: November 29, 2007:

# # #
This report was produced and circulated by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Harare. Queries and comments should be directed to Paul Engelstad, Public Affairs Officer, Tel. +263 4 758800-1, Fax: 758802, E-mail: hararepas@state.gov Website: http://harare.usembassy.gov