Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 29, 2004
NEW YORK, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- AIDS. The world's worst ever health crisis. As part of its continuing public affairs initiative VH1, invited India.Arie to come up close -- real close -- by spending time with those living with AIDS in the poor neighborhoods of Africa. What she found was terrible and shocking, yes. But she also found hope. Hope through the courage and stamina of women caring for their fellow sisters in the slums of Nairobi. Watch her emotional journey on "VH1 News Presents: Battling The Global AIDS Epidemic."
Premiering in mid-2005, "VH1 News Presents: Battling The Global AIDS Epidemic" finds India.Arie touring and volunteering in Nairobi at KENWA (Kenya Network of Women with AIDS) alongside the local women and men who are helping to stem the mortal tide of AIDS/HIV in their community. Established in 1993 by five HIV-positive women experiencing stigma, KENWA is a grassroots community-based organization formed and run by women living with HIV/AIDS and funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund). India, accompanied by her mother, Joyce Simpson, will meet face to face with the people living with this disease under dire circumstances, help feed and find housing and schooling for those orphaned by the disease, deliver meals to those bedridden and provide hope and support to those women newly diagnosed.
"The partnership between VH1 and the Global Fund, which puts a face to the work of such organizations as our Kenyan Network of Women with AIDS, is truly admirable," says Asunta Wagura, Executive Director of KENWA. "It is our wish that many will witness our story through India's eyes and see that our programs, made possible by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, bring hope for the future of our society's fight against this terrible disease."
"The Global Fund is financing some amazing people doing incredible work to fight HIV/AIDS around the world, often under very difficult circumstances," says Richard Feachem, the Executive Director of the Global Fund. "We are very pleased that India.Arie went to spend time with the women from KENWA. Thanks to India and VH1, a U.S. audience will be able to see what it really means to live with HIV when you are poor, but also see the fantastic work these women are doing to alleviate pain and suffering."
"With 40 million people infected and many more contracting this disease everyday, we at VH1 wanted to make the struggle against the spread of AIDS real by showing India.Arie with her mother engaging on the ground in Nairobi," commented Christina Norman, President, VH1. "I think our viewers will see that with the efforts of groups like KENWA and the Global Fund there is hope. We can fight this epidemic."
"VH1 News Presents: Battling The Global AIDS Epidemic" is an unprecedented, intimate look at the global emergency that is AIDS/HIV. India, as well as one other celebrity, will spend two weeks volunteering on an actual Global Fund AIDS project in Africa. Every day they'll be hard at work, feeding and caring for patients, going on house calls with other volunteers, helping to end suffering, and bonding with these total strangers at a very personal level.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created in 2002 to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. The Global Fund attracts, manages and disburses resources to developing nations in their fight against AIDS. The Fund works closely with the 129 countries providing assistance during development and implementation of prevention, treatment, and training programs. Out of every dollar donated, 98 cents goes directly to the cause.
VH1's efforts will also extend to its VH1.com web site, which will stream all of the network's PSAs and will highlight the network's campaign with the Global Fund and feature HIV awareness information.
"VH1 News Presents: Battling The Global AIDS Epidemic" is a production of VH1, executive produced by Michael Hirschorn and Brad Abramson.
VH1, available in 87 million households in the U.S., connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.VH1.com .
VH1 is a unit of Viacom International Inc.
Contacts:
For VH1:
Laura Nelson - 212/846-7920
laura.nelson@vh1staff.com
Michelle Clark - 212/846-5576
michelle.clark@vh1staff.com
Vanessa Reyes/MTVN - 310/752-8081
For the Global Fund:
Jon Liden - 011 41 79 244 6006
jon.liden@theglobalfund.org
SOURCE VH1
Web Site: http://www.vh1.com
041129
PR041144
Copyright © 2004 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .