keep fighting the good fight, stephen

We are so proud of your statements on behalf of PLWHA in Africa. We saw you on television before the G8 meeting in Canada last summer and lately we heard you on the BBC. We live in Nigeria but our roots are in Canada (Toronto). We belong to the Congregation of Our Lady's Missionaries but don't let that throw you. We have been working since 1991 in the rural part of Benue State, Nigeria, setting up programs for people infected with HIV.

You met some of our people when you visited Benue State in 2002 or late 2001. They met you on the road coming from Alaide to Government House and you invited them back to Government House for a discussion.

We encourage you to continue to fight for antiretroviral drugs for those infected although I suspect you need no encouragement. You give hope to people like us and to the Nigerians we work with in our programs. You are so articulate, passionate and sincere in your presentations. I applaud you whenever I hear you speak. You have unique and wonderful gifts, Stephen. Thank you for using them for Africa, the forgotten continent.

Suzanne Marshall, Nigeria (reposted from AF-AIDS: [email]af-aids@healthdev.net)