PEPFAR Celebrates 15TH Anniversary by Showcasing Stories of Inspiration and Progress

This week, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is officially marking 15 Years of Saving Lives through American Generosity and Partnerships.

PEPFAR was announced on January 28, 2003 and signed into law on May 27, 2003.  With strong bipartisan support across three administrations, the U.S. government has invested nearly $75 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response – the largest commitment made by any nation to address a single disease.

PEPFAR’s 15^th anniversary celebrates the program’s remarkable efforts to save and improve millions of lives around the world, made possible by the generosity of the American people and vital partnerships across multiple sectors.

As part of the celebrations, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), World Vision and mothers2mothers, hosted an anniversary reception on June 12 on Capitol Hill attended by key stakeholders, thought leaders, partners and beneficiaries to recognize the incredible accomplishments of the program and to highlight that for the first time in modern history, we have the opportunity to control a pandemic without a vaccine or a cure, laying the groundwork for eliminating HIV.

EGPAF has long been a proud implementing partner of PEPFAR- helping to reach millions of men, women and children impacted by HIV/AIDS.

A highlight of the reception was the showing of a video featuring Nelly Tsindoli and her teenage daughter, Charity – both of whom EGPAF has supported through care and treatment programs in Kenya, made possible through the support of PEPFAR.

Twelve years ago, Nelly felt that her world was collapsing from her heart-breaking discovery that she was HIV-positive.

Newly married, Nelly was attending an antenatal clinic in Mbale in rural, Western Kenya, excited to be pregnant with her first child.

That excitement however, soon turned into sorrow and pain due to her HIV status. Nelly became the subject of stigma and anger in the family.  She ultimately returned home, finding solace with her mother and extended family.

Starting in 2002, PEPFAR funded the “Call to Action” program that brought simple, yet effective interventions to mothers and newborns in those resource-poor countries hardest hit by HIV.

EGPAF implemented the eight‐year global Call to Action (CTA) project in 12 countries, including Kenya from 2002 through 2007. This project sought to improve access and expand care and support for quality prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services, while enhancing technical leadership and documenting successful program models. Through CTA,  Nelly was able to receive  appropriate treatment to protect her own life and that of her unborn child from becoming infected with HIV.

Charity was born HIV-free that same year. Nelly successfully turned her misfortune into an opportunity to help others.

At Mbale Rural Health Center where Nelly was seeking treatment, the young mother was motivated by a passion to help others. She enrolled for training as a peer educator through EGPAF-supported programs.

Nelly eventually became a peer counselor at the Vihiga District Hospital, and later transferred to Vihiga Health Center when the center started to provide HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Today, Nelly is a mentor and a role model to many HIV-positive mothers.

She has also contributed to the reduction of stigma among people living with HIV in the community through the initiation of community support groups and adherence [to HIV care and treatment] clubs.

Apart from working at the facilities, Nelly is often invited to speak in public meetings such as during World AIDS Day to provide inspiration for other HIV-positive mothers.

Nelly’s inspiring story would not have been possible without PEPFAR. EGPAF looks forward to continued collaboration with PEPFAR to achieve our goal of ending AIDS in children, once and for all.