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 MP's Louds Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation
The Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation (BMAF) participation at the Exhibition for Civil Society Organisation held in Dodoma from 28th June-2nd July, 2008 was extremely successful. Through this event, the Foundation managed to provide information on its programmes and undertakings to Members of the Parliament, Civil Society Organisations and members of the general public.
More than 20 MPs visited the BMAF stand and were excited by the its presence. "I am glad you have come to explain to other MPs and people the great work you are doing in our district councils" said Hon. Sigfrid Ng'itu of Ruangwa Constituency.
Hon. Ng'itu said the health workers that were deployed by BMAF in his District helped to scale up HIV/AIDS service delivery in Ruangwa. "The health workers go to the rural areas where it is difficult to access HIV/AIDS services. Beacuse of that more people are now aware of the dangers associated with HIV and AIDS and know where to go to get ARVs" he added. The MP louded the Foundation's work adding that it should strive to send more health workers to the needy communities. The Foundation through its two HRH innovative programmes namely Mkapa Fellows Programme and Emergency Hiring Project has recruited, trained, deployed and retained 275 health workers in 52 hard to reach districts of rural Tanzania.
"You should also come to Kyela and assist in HIV/AIDS service delivery and provision of nutrition to the people living with HIV/AIDS" said Hon. Harrison Mwakyembe of Kyela constituency and Vice Chairperson-Parliamentary Committee Energy and Minerals.
Earlier during the CSOs-MPs meeting, Hon. Anne Kilango Malecela, MP for Same East and Chairperson- Parliamentary Committee Parliamentary Privileges, Ethics and Powers had urged CSO working on HIV and AIDS programmes to focus on provision of nutrition to people living with HIV/AIDS. Her call was also louded by Hon Mwakyembe.
"I recognise your good work on HIV/AIDS education but now you should pay more attention to provision of food to PLWHA" she emphasised.
Poingnantly, most CSOs who participated in the exhibition did not know what Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation was doing. They thought BMAF was a grant facilitating NGO that provide funds to HIV/AIDS NGOs and Faith Based Organisation.
"Frankly speaking, until today, I thought you were a grant facilitating organisation. I was thinking of applying for funds to run my organisation!" said Catherine Maguzu of Lubana Corridor Environment Organisation located in Arusha.
The CSO exhibition was organised by the Foundation for Civil Society and this year's theme was "The Parliament and CSO: Representation, Accountability and Diligency for National Development" More than 199 CSO participated in the CSO exhibition which were held at the Bunge Grounds and preceeded by a meeting beween CSO members and heads of Parliamentary Committees on 29th July, 2008 held at the Pius Msekwa Conference Hall (Former Bunge House).
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