Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - September 19, 2005
The short film features Ms. Jolie and Mr. Sachs in Sauri, Kenya, a dirt-poor, steaming hot, H.I.V./AIDS-infested village practically smack on the equator. They visit what passes for a hospital, where three and four diseased patients share the same bed. Ms. Jolie even gets down and dirty with a hoe, hacking weeds on a patch of farmland that belongs to an old woman.
The program had its premiere last Wednesday to coincide with the United Nations summit meeting. Once again, world leaders promised to halve global poverty by 2015. And they made yet another agreement to help the two billion people who barely survive the day. Even President Bush, after allowing his underlings to almost torpedo the accord and then to water it down, gave its principles the backing of the world's richest country.
But since global leaders have a way of making big promises they don't keep, now is a good time to point them toward one of the best ways they can help the poor: from the ground up, village by village. Ms. Jolie is dead right when she says that putting money into village-level programs could do much to alleviate poverty. These are simple, smart and effective things: purchasing treated bed nets for battling malaria, providing malnourished children with a meal at school. In countries with corrupt strongmen, these programs can bypass the government. In countries with decent leaders, they work alongside their efforts.
It's time to transfer all those nice wishes at the top of the world food chain to those at the bottom.
050919
NYT050907
Copyright © 2005 - The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved. All New York Times articles contained on the AEGiS web site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of The New York Times Company. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. However, you may download articles (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal, noncommercial use only.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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, 2005. 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. .