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News from ONE: Rwanda gives $1 million to the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria

By Opportunity International on November 11, 2010

The following is a blog post published on the ONE Campaign’s blog yesterday, Nov. 10, written by Malaka Gharib.

Alice Gasatura, director credit support at Opportunity Rwanda, at the Fall Microfinance Conference in October. She discusses growing up in poverty in Rwanda and the success stories of Opportunity's Rwandan clients.

Alice Gasatura, director credit support at Opportunity Rwanda, at the Fall Microfinance Conference in October. She discusses growing up in poverty in Rwanda and the success stories of Opportunity's Rwandan clients.

Here’s some really cool news–we just caught wind that Rwanda is donating $1 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

According to a press release, Rwanda is the fourth African country to contribute to this year’s replenishment, which has received $11.7 billion in commitments from both the private and public sector for the next three years.

“Even a modest additional investment can save millions of lives, improve overall health of the population, strengthen health systems and provide economic gains through increased productivity of the workforce,” said Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda.

Rwanda has been very active in engaging with the Global Fund and is set to reach its UN Millennium Development Goals targets by 2015. Read more about their Global Fund donation on the Africa News website.

We’re inspired by the success story that Rwanda has become in recent years. Its citizens are becoming more financially independent, its women more empowered and this is reflected in the ways in which Rwandans are contributing to the well-being of the entire continent. Thank you, ONE, for this uplifting story.

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Comments

  • Eric Walcott

    It's great to see African governments contributing to these causes. It really shows serious effort and commitment to eradicating the struggles that have plagued them for decades.

  • ljj

    From civil war and a corrupt government to donating $1MM to the global fund to fight AIDS and a stable government in 16 years – that is a true accomplishment! I'm inspired by the commitment of the Rwandan people to work together to improve their lives. This is proof that when people pull together for the greater good nothing is impossible.

  • Lydia

    This is encouraging news from Rwanda. Opportunity's bank in Rwanda also has a major role to play in the fight against AIDS – from offering ways for caregivers of orphans to earn a living, to savings accounts that help families pay for unexpected illness or funerals, to targeted trainings about how to prevent or cope with AIDS.

  • Sbitte

    This announcement out of Rwanda is so encouraging and a testament to the power of its people to rise from the ashes of war and corruption. Truly inspiring!

  • sawm

    It's great to hear what Rwanda has been able to do for the Global Fund, especially considering that the government is likely saddled with a very small budget, and not much in surplus funds. Yet it recognizes the importance of this fund!