Whether actually in Mutare, Zimbabwe providing direct care and support, or miles away in Portland, Oregon, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The people of Zimbabwe find themselves fighting the AIDS epidemic in the setting of worsening poverty, a devastated health care system, gender inequality, and a stigma that creates a deafening silence. Their work will only become harder in the coming days. We provide a direct, tangible connection and a vehicle with which to respond.
The Portland-Mutare Sister City Association/Africa AIDS Response program believes in the importance of supporting the vigorous grassroots efforts by the people of our Sister City to defy all odds and care for their sick, raise their orphans and slow the virus’s spread. The PMSCA model is effective because it works with the community to determine priorities in health and well being, builds lasting relationships and strives to empower the entire community to respond through community based efforts in addition to HIV specific interventions.