BILL CLINTON RETURNS FROM AFRICA VISIT By President Bill Clinton I’m back home in Chappaqua, New York, following my return from Africa. As I think back over everything I saw and did in Africa, my thoughts keep returning to a soccer field in Lusaka, Zambia, where I met an energetic and courageous group of kids — some HIV-positive, some not. They were led by a man named Victor, who left his job at the Ministry of Agriculture after losing his mother and three half-sisters to HIV/AIDS and decided to dedicate his life to educating his peers about health and HIV prevention. Victor co-founded an organization called Africa Directions, which runs a youth recreation center. He is also part of the Zambia Scouts Association, which is helping to teach children across Zambia about HIV/AIDS through soccer and other games. During my visit, Victor invited me to watch a soccer match and to play a game with about twenty children that emphasized the importance of HIV/AIDS testing. I watched as the kids stood shoulder to shoulder and formed two lines facing each other. Each row was given a tennis ball to pass behind our backs, and as we did, Victor led cheers and encouraged everyone to hide their passes. After a few minutes, he announced it was time to stop passing the ball and called on a participant from each row to identify where the opposing team’s ball ended up. Each child made a guess, but no one got it right, prompting laughter from the players. Victor explained that the tennis ball is like HIV/AIDS: you can’t tell if someone has HIV/AIDS just by looking at them. He then led the kids in a frank discussion about the virus, stressing the importance of testing and explaining that we must give our “teammates” with HIV the care and support they need. Over 130,000 children are living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia, and I’m proud that my Foundation is working with the Zambian government to make testing available to all youth in Zambia — even babies as young as six weeks old. Once they’ve been tested, young people with HIV/AIDS can get the care and treatment they need — including access to free, high-quality medications through a partnership between my Foundation and a purchasing entity known as UNITAID funded by a consortium of countries — to ensure they stay healthy enough to go to school, play soccer and live healthy lives. This kind of progress is being made across Africa. Programs like Victor’s are emerging across the continent, and more people like him are harnessing their power to make a difference in their communities. We’re finally overcoming the fear and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, which for too long stood in the way of meaningful efforts to combat the pandemic. I’m proud that my Foundation is on the frontlines of this fight, and I look forward to my next opportunity to visit Africa and see how much further we’ll have come in a year’s time.

BONDI GIRL ABANDONS CAREER FOR CAMBODIAN ORPHANS

[Sun-Herald, August 26, 2007] Tara Winkler had an enviable life. She grew up in Bondi, enjoyed the beach lifestyle and was establishing a career in the film industry. But after a holiday to Cambodia, at the age of just 21, she gave it all up to devote herself to rescuing orphans from a life of abuse and neglect. During that visit two years ago Winkler was deeply moved by the suffering of children she encountered at an orphanage at Battambang, in the country's west. She established the Cambodian Children's Trust to support the orphanage, which she described as heartbreakingly run-down. As the months passed, rumours intensified of underhand dealings by the orphanage's former director. Early this year, Ms Winkler returned to Australia on a three-month fund-raising trip, and took measures to safeguard all donations to the orphanage. She went back to Cambodia this month after learning the orphanage's director and staff had been removed by the former director and replaced with his relatives. The former director allegedly has a history of embezzling donations from foreign sponsors, funnelling the money into his own property and livestock. "It got a bit nasty and all of the children were being abused really badly -- physically and verbally," Ms Winkler told The Sun-Herald from Battambang. "They have lost several kilograms each and look like little stick figures and really unhealthy." Seven of the children have hepatitis B and one girl is HIV positive. In a desperate bid to save the children, the young Australian set up her own orphanage -- in just two weeks. Battambang's Governor and government authorities gave her team full support to remove the children from the former orphanage and rehouse them, Ms Winkler said. She now houses all 14 orphans, aged between 5 and 17, and has employed a full-time nurse, local director, social worker and cook. "I wasn't prepared to be setting up my own centre so soon but I'm just relieved to have them out," she said. "They're all from horrible backgrounds, with many the victims of child trafficking and others orphaned by HIV/AIDS." In order to survive, the orphanage must raise $50,000 a year. Ms Winkler intends to transform the orphanage into a sustainable "eco-village." She plans to spend five years and $2million introducing development projects that will enable the orphanage to support itself. Her designs include buying a 40-hectare plot to establish a plantation as well as a fruit, vegetable and herb permaculture garden. A medical facility, animal clinic, education program and English school are in the works. To help, see HERE

NEW HOPE FOR AIDS ORPHANS WITH CHEAP RETROVIRAL DRUGS [Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative May 9, 2007] Shaibu Musa’s parents died of AIDS when he was just eight years old. Shaibu recently learned he too is HIV-positive, following a door-to-door testing campaign conducted by Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) volunteers in Tanzania. The virus has stunted his growth, keeping this 16 year old young man in the body of a boy. His body’s defenses weakened, Shaibu was quiet and lethargic when we met him, but now he is being given a second chance at life thanks to antiretroviral therapy. There are five million people just like Shaibu around the world today who need these medicines and deserve that same chance to live a long, happy and healthy life. Fortunately, (Former) President Clinton today announced new agreements that dramatically decrease the cost of medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS in poor and middle income countries -– the best treatment in the world, just one pill taken once a day, now costs less than $1 per day. The new prices have been made possible by a partnership between the Clinton Foundation and UNITAID, a new fund for HIV/AIDS medicines. I am proud to announce these new and important price reductions that will help CHAI and others in our global efforts save thousands of lives. But this is just a start, and we need your help. You can make affordable treatment a reality for people around the world. Every contribution helps us to increase access to treatment, build health systems, and enable our government partners to effect the change that is so desperately needed for people like Shaibu. Will you donate $25, $50 or more now to help the Clinton Foundation continue its important work? My colleagues in Tanzania were able to work with local and national partners to ensure treatment is available for Shaibu and other Tanzanians living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in rural areas. In a world without borders, we all have an unprecedented ability to solve problems, save lives, and make a difference in our communities. Please contribute today, and help us take more steps forward in this fight against HIV/AIDS Sincerely, Anil Soni.

MADONNA HEADING FOR MALAWI TO CONTINUE CHARITY WORK [Reuters, April 13, 2007] Madonna is heading back to Malawi to continue her charity work there but has no plans to adopt another child, a spokeswoman for the US pop sensation said. Madonna, 48, caused a storm of controversy last year when she went to Malawi to adopt a one-year-old boy, David Banda. She was accused by adoption groups of using her celebrity status to bypass laws about foreigners adopting from Malawi. News this week that Madonna was heading back to Malawi sparked some media speculation that she was planning to adopt another child but this was quickly denied. “She's going back to continue her work with Raising Malawi Organisation and to oversee the building of a children's health care centre there,” her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said. “There are no plans for another adoption.” Madonna is in the legal processes of adopting the Malawian boy who was living in an orphanage after his mother died. His father, Yohane Banda, is alive but said he supported the adoption process. Rosenberg said she did not know if the youngster would accompany Madonna to Malawi for a reunion with his father. Madonna's publicist in London, Barbara Charone, said the singer was currently in England and planning a visit but did not know when she would go to Malawi. As well as her adopted son, Madonna has a 10-year-old daughter, Lourdes, and a six-year-old son, Rocco. [See photo] She is married to British film director Guy Ritchie. Madonna has said she and Ritchie had not expected the difficulties or controversy they had faced in last year's adoption.

NEW FILM ABOUT JESUS HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF WOMEN [Mission Network News, April 13, 2007] In a culture where women are devalued regularly, SAT-7 is getting ready to launch a new film that does the opposite in the Middle East. On April 15, the ministry broadcasts the film "JESUS, As Witnessed By Mary Magdalene." In this innovative version, extended scenes have been digitally added to the 1979 production of the "JESUS Film" to show the events of Christ's life through the eyes of one woman, Mary Magdalene. The film presents the loving Jesus who protected a woman's honor, built up her dignity, and gave her a role in preaching the good news. SAT-7 is airing this one-time broadcast is coming exactly one week after Easter. The goal of this film is to help every woman to know her value in Jesus Christ. It's also a Biblical reply to the DaVinci Code, which distorted the reputation of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Dolly Deeb, SAT-7 producer and host of the women's program Hadith El Sobheya (Morning Chat), interviewed many of the LifeAgape leaders (producers) who were at the film's first public viewing on March 20, 2007, in Beirut. A special edition of Morning Chat airs prior to the film on April 15 at 8:00 CET, with the movie scheduled to air at 11:00 CET. "JESUS, As Witnessed By Mary Magdalene" is currently being distributed on DVD's and CD's around the Arab world.

Orphans "Reborn" in Zazornie, Russia.

[Mission Network News, April 13, 2007] Slavic Gospel Association has been receiving letters of thanks from orphanage workers across the Commonwealth of Independent States. SGA sponsors an orphanage outreach in Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine called "Orphans Reborn." The program allows Church members and missionaries to enter state-run orphanages to share the Gospel with the children. Because they have visit regularly, they are able to nurture the children and share the love and hope of Christ. Most importantly, they can disciple those who choose to follow Christ. Workers also offer Bibles and emergency food and clothing. This is especially helpful since orphanages have great need. Not only are they affecting the children, but orphanage staff and the local community are noticing their work. A few years ago, ministry like this would not have been possible because children were required to learn a state-mandated curriculum that taught that there is no God. In many other countries, this type of ministry would still be prohibited. SGA hopes to grow this ministry. It costs only $30 for one child to be reached by "Orphans Reborn" for an entire year. These donations supply the child with a Bible, study materials, prizes for work in the program, and occasional humanitarian aide when possible. Church workers will also receive transportation, necessary supplies, and training. Praise God that this ministry is being welcomed and pray that it will continue to grow. Slavic Gospel Association Phone: 800-BIBLE-50 Phone: 815-282-8900 Fax: 815-282-8901 6151 Commonwealth Drive Loves Park, IL61111 Visit the website: SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION