HIV/AIDS Task Force

Before departing Cameroon, Ambassador George M. Staples  presented the HIV/AIDS Task Force with the Ambassador's Award for their spirit of volunteerism, dedication and innovative approaches in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon.

Born out of the vision of two International Visitors, Dr. Judith Shang and Cheikh Arouna, who returned from a program on Education and Prevention of HIV/AIDS in December 2000, the Task Force has now extended its membership to other local experts, NGOs, and governmental and international agencies committed to the struggle against the pandemic. Since its creation, the Task Force has set the standard for volunteerism and the impact of their programs, partnerships, and grants is immeasurable.

One of the Task Force's primary goals is HIV/AIDS sensitization, specifically among the youth of Cameroon. They have sponsored extremely well received sensitization programs for cattle breeders in Banso, Fons from Bemenda, and Muslims in the far north. Over 2500 primary, secondary, and high school students were reached by HIV/AIDS talks given by members in Yaounde. Holiday Workshops focusing on prevention, awareness, and reproductive health were given in five provinces for children between the ages of eight and eighteen, reaching a target audience of close to 4000 students. The largest of these was held in Yaounde in May of 2004, and awarded prizes for creative expressions in art and theater against HIV/AIDS.

Another priority for the Task Force is the elimination of the duplication of effort and waste of resources that so often plagues the fight against HIV/AIDS. To that end, the Task Force provided support for a myriad of school programs, including the Reproductive Health Workshop organized by various NGOs - the Fobang Foundation in Limbe and Bemenda, the Youth Week School Sensitization Program organized by the Shemka Foundation in Nkolbisson, and the Peer Educators program run by the Youth Development Foundation all over Cameroon.

In 2004 the Task Force distributed over $10,000 worth of grants. One grantee, an American Fulbright scholar, used the funding for an acting workshop and theater-in-the-market project to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the village of Ndop. A documentary based on her experience will air nationwide on CRTV later this year.

The fight for global health is profoundly important in Cameroon - the only known nation on Earth where all known strains of HIV/AIDS are found. The spirit of cooperation, community involvement, and passion for their cause that Task Force members bring to the work is an inspiration to us all. They have created a model of cooperation and innovation that others are looking to and following all over the world.