Nine-year-old
Bongani is the proud monitor of the HIV medications
taken by members of his family, which lives in
the Freedom Park squatter camp located outside
an active gold mine in Rustenburg, South Africa.
How did a young boy get this awesome responsibility?
Because Bongani himself was the first child to
receive antiretroviral treatment through CMMB’s
AIDSRelief clinic
in Tapologo. Desperately sick when he began treatment,
Bongami quickly became well enough to attend
school, and has become a diligent monitor of
the medications taken by both of his parents.
The Tapologo Freedom Park clinic is operated
by Bishop Kevin Dowling, who is a courageous
advocate for those afflicted by the pandemic.
CMMB collaborates with Catholic
Relief Services, the University of Maryland
Department of Human Virology, Interchurch Medical
Assistance and the Futures Group in this effort,
which is funded through U.S. President George
W. Bush’s
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Catholic Medical
Mission Board is a non-profit, religious, 501 (c) (3) organization
that provides services and deliver aid without regard to creed, race,
sex, or national or political circumstance. Catholic Medical Mission
Board is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with
the Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC) of the United Nations. Gifts are deducibel to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations.
