Third Day Magnificent and Dramatic

Top: Former CBCF Fellow Genora Akosua Reed, (far left); Del. Christensen (third from left); Rep. Lee (third from right); her aide, Tatyana Kalinga (second from right) with Archbishop Tutu.

Bottom: Congresswomen Christensen and Lee and Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., enjoy another moment with Archbishop Tutu.



Friday started a little later than those before - all of 9:30 a.m.

And it began at the American Embassy for a World AIDS Day Ceremony that was co-sponsored by the Diplomatic Association of Pretoria. Countries represented included Morocco, Egypt, Singapore and Peru.

We stood on the front lawn of the embassy in front of a magnificent red ribbon as high as the building itself, which encircled an American flag.

Congresswomen Lee and I were among the speakers at the program. We both spoke of our commitment and that of the Foundation to ensuring that more funding without limitations are made available. Reflecting on new reports and the wonderful work that PEPFAR funded programs are doing, the sense of the day was one of hope.

Congresswomen Lee and I were tested once again to encourage all assembled to do the same and know their status.

We next moved to the program sponsored by the embassies of Ireland, Sweden and the Netherlands, where Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu was the featured speaker. We were treated to musical performances by young people of the area, a moving poem, "I Am Wise," by a young woman living with AIDS and a dramatic presentation by a group of young people.

Of course, the highlight was the speech by the archbishop. He chided his country for taking so long to act, but also encouraged it and all of us, reminding us of all that the people of South Africa had already overcome in their successful liberation struggle.

We later had the privilege of meeting with Archbishop Tutu briefly before he took off for Germany and we prepared to leave -- Congresswoman Lee; her staff assistant, Tatyana Kalinga, and Genora Akosua Reed, a former CBCF Fellow who staffed the trip for the Foundation, to Tambo Airport and back to D.C., while Dr. Scott and I went to the province of Limpopo.

Arriving at the ranch hotel, we found it to be at a game preserve. Because it was already dark and also because we were leaving early the next morning, we did not get to enjoy the sights or see any of the animals. But we did have a lovely dinner with executives of Johnson and Johnson here observing a "Total Control of the Epidemic" program, which we will visit and which will be the site of the World AIDS Day ceremony tomorrow.

Del. Donna M. Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Chairwoman
Public Health Committee
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation