| |
Back to Index
U.S.
Ambassador, Zim youth celebrities undergo HIV tests to mark World
AIDS Day
US Embassy
December 01, 2010
Download
this document
- Acrobat
PDF version (656KB)
If you do not have the free Acrobat reader
on your computer, download it from the Adobe website by clicking
here.
To commemorate
World AIDS Day and encourage young people to know their HIV status,
the U.S. Embassy and PSI's New Africa House HIV centre organized
HIV testing for Ambassador Charles Ray and seven youth celebrities-
Big Brother contestant and 'Lobola' star Munyaradzi
Chidzonga, musicians Alexio Kawara and Edith Katiji; Premier League
soccer players Norman Maroto (Gunners Football Club), Washington
Arubi and Desmond Maringwa (both of Dynamos Football Club); and
television personality, Rumbidzai Mugwira. The eight underwent counseling
sessions observed by members of the media, and tested along with
H-Metro journalist, Melody Gwenyambira. Below are transcripts of
the remarks by Ambassador Ray and some of the celebrities after
the test, as well as a collage of images.
Charles A. Ray (U.S.
Ambassador to Zimbabwe): It has been a great pleasure, even getting
my thumb pricked, this morning, doing something that is both terribly
intimate and openly universal -- taking an HIV test. As I
said to some of you, this is not my first HIV test, but I am happy
to say that this was the least painful one that I have ever had
to take. Usually, as a U.S. government employee, a complete blood
screening is part of our in service physical examination, which
means getting into your arm and taking a gallon of blood (laughter).
The U.S. government theme
for World AIDS Day 2010 is "Building on Success." Despite
the ever-present challenges inherent in fighting HIV/AIDS, there
have been some tremendous successes in the last five years of the
HIV/AIDS battle in Zimbabwe. Some of these successes are now starting
to filter down in the form of targeted efforts to educate, protect
and assist specific groups. By reaching certain target groups in
effective ways, we hope to double our successes. Therefore, here
in Zimbabwe, we decided this year to focus on youth; and we created
our own slogan, "Take control of your future - take
control of your health - know your status."
While I do feel young
at heart, I am comfortably into my "wise" years now.
And, my staff will tell you, I like to share my wisdom. But as we
all know in today's world, wise older folks are not always
listened to or followed by the younger generation. Sometimes they
selectively choose who to listen to and what to hear. So I thought
it would be wise to invite a group of young popular Zimbabweans
to join me in this testing event today. I would like to thank Gaza,
Washington, Norman, Munya, Edith, Rumbi and Alexio for joining me
here today. All of you are all leaders in your respective career
fields. Young people really look up to you and listen to what you
say. This is a blessing and a great responsibility. What you have
done here today by taking an HIV test is to show your fans and fellow
Zimbabweans that this is an important step we all should take in
our lives.
Together, my
new friends and I want to send a very powerful message to the youth
of Zimbabwe, and that message is - you do have power over
your future and that includes your health. Know your HIV status;
know your health care options; live a long, strong, healthy life.
Medical testing with celebrities was not covered in my Ambassadorial
Seminar or any other diplomatic training I have had in my career.
But these types of events are among the most important things I
do as the chief representative of President Obama in Zimbabwe. Anything
focusing on this
Download
full report
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
