| The Stars of mothers2mothers |
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Our mothers have proven that you don’t have to win an Oscar, Emmy or Grammy to be a STAR! Our mothers from all over the African continent have illustrated how a powerful story and a positive outlook is more than enough to make people sit up and listen. Recently, four m2m Mentor Mothers from different countries engaged audiences all over the world, and the result was a profound stand against HIV/AIDS, stigma and the negative stereotypes associated with a positive diagnosis.
 The 2009 Africa Forum, held in Mangochi, Malawi from 21-26 June, set the stage for Malawian Mentor Mother Maria Posita to share her experiences as an HIV-positive mother. Hosted by Project Concern International (PCI), the forum focused on people living with AIDS (PLWA) and food and nutrition security (FNS). Discussions were held about living positively and good nutrition as well as to remedy 'donor dependency syndrome.' Maria had the opportunity to speak about being an HIV-positive mother and positive parenting, which was both challenging and rewarding for the m2m Mentor Mother. Delegates were so impressed by Maria that she was invited to an HIV/AIDS Women forum to be held this November. You can read her full account here.
Together with Emily, Maria, Viwe, Nozi, and all our mothers across the continent, these women continue to inspire us with their humility, positivity and incredible courage. |
Every year, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) hosts a star-studded themed ball, where some of the biggest names in entertainment, politics and philanthropy gather to raise funds for initiatives fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. This year’s ball, held on 25 June at Sir Elton John’s private residence in Old Windsor, England, was themed ‘White Tie and Tiaras’ and boasted over 600 celebrity guests. But the highlight of the evening came from an unknown guest of honor, Emily Owino. An m
On the 4th of July, South African Site Coordinator Viwe Mgudiwa had the opportunity to speak in front of some of the world’s most renowned activists, dignitaries, actors, writers and TV personalities. The 48th annual Academy of Achievement Summit, held in Cape Town this year, brings together some of the most notable and influential people of our time and inspires a new generation of activists and opinion-makers. Some of the guests included Sam Donaldson (ABC News Correspondent), Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize winner for Literature), Barbara Hogan (Ex-South African Minister of Health, now Minister of Public Enterprises - pictured with Viwe), Jeremy Irons (Oscar-winning actor) and Chris Matthews (host of MSNBC’s Hardball). Viwe spoke of her personal daily challenge of needing to stay healthy to look after her HIV-negative son, whom she introduced to the audience through tears of pride and love.
Finally, the annual International AIDS Society (IAS) conference was also held in Cape Town this past July, and South African Site Coordinator Nozi Samela had the opportunity to speak at two different sessions about her experience with HIV/AIDS, both at a National Press Foundation’s (NPF) training session prior to the conference and at the mothers