World AIDS Day
Princess with a vision in Australia for World AIDS Day
Princess Kasune Zulu from Zambia is in Australia for the first time to help World Vision commemorate World AIDS Day. A twenty-six year old HIV positive mother of two, Princess could have become just another of the world's 40 million strong HIV positive population. But Princess is different. She has a vision to save the people of Africa. Her priority: the 13 million African children who have lost their parents to this killer disease.
From the dusty villages of Zambia, Princess has gone on to host her own radio programme Living Positively and in the last year has presented at major international forums including the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona and the World Vision New York AIDS forum. But Princess' actions speak louder than her words. She and husband Moffatt have established a home and a school for AIDS orphans. Her own children fetch water from the well for orphans and students.
Princess delivered the keynote address at World Vision's World AIDS Day celebrations. The theme for World AIDS Day 2002 is "Stigma and Discrimination", something Princess knows all too well.
"My husband Moffatt lost two jobs when his employers discovered his HIV status. This is very common. Stigma and discrimination mean AIDS is not discussed. In much of Africa people still do not know what causes AIDS and they do not speak about it. But unless we talk, people will continue to die," said Princess.
While in Melbourne, Princess launched World Vision's appeal to raise funds for a centre for AIDS orphans in Zambia, an initiative she sees as critical.
"Orphans who have lost both parents to AIDS are more likely to drop out of school than others. Girls drop out to care for younger siblings and to perform household duties. Other children leave because they are discriminated against, are traumatized or cannot afford school fees. This centre will help some of these children to have a brighter future, said Princess.
To commemorate World AIDS Day 2002, World Vision is launching an appeal to raise funds for a centre to support AIDS orphans in Zambia. Donations can be made by calling 13 32 40.
Princess Kasune Zulu from Zambia is in Australia for the first time to help World Vision commemorate World AIDS Day. A twenty-six year old HIV positive mother of two, Princess could have become just another of the world's 40 million strong HIV positive population. But Princess is different. She has a vision to save the people of Africa. Her priority: the 13 million African children who have lost their parents to this killer disease.
From the dusty villages of Zambia, Princess has gone on to host her own radio programme Living Positively and in the last year has presented at major international forums including the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona and the World Vision New York AIDS forum. But Princess' actions speak louder than her words. She and husband Moffatt have established a home and a school for AIDS orphans. Her own children fetch water from the well for orphans and students.
Princess delivered the keynote address at World Vision's World AIDS Day celebrations. The theme for World AIDS Day 2002 is "Stigma and Discrimination", something Princess knows all too well.
"My husband Moffatt lost two jobs when his employers discovered his HIV status. This is very common. Stigma and discrimination mean AIDS is not discussed. In much of Africa people still do not know what causes AIDS and they do not speak about it. But unless we talk, people will continue to die," said Princess.
While in Melbourne, Princess launched World Vision's appeal to raise funds for a centre for AIDS orphans in Zambia, an initiative she sees as critical.
"Orphans who have lost both parents to AIDS are more likely to drop out of school than others. Girls drop out to care for younger siblings and to perform household duties. Other children leave because they are discriminated against, are traumatized or cannot afford school fees. This centre will help some of these children to have a brighter future, said Princess.
To commemorate World AIDS Day 2002, World Vision is launching an appeal to raise funds for a centre to support AIDS orphans in Zambia. Donations can be made by calling 13 32 40.
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