Photos of Hope : Remembering the brave ones! US Embassy AMC New Delhi

Night out with Prem and friends: Kathmandu

Friends of AHF Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal

AHF in Nepal : 2008

Kathmandu: NEPAL January 3 2008

Greetings from AHF Nepal Cares!

You will notice that my salutation says “AHF Nepal Cares” and that was no mistake – for we are here now officially recognized by the Government of Nepal. Today, the 3^rd of January 2008 – AHF and the Government of Nepal officially signed an agreement at the Social Welfare Council, Samaj Sewa Bhawan, Lainchour, Kathmandu, Government of Nepal to establish just that – a new beginning in this Himalayan Country. This landmark agreement was signed by Shri Manarup Shahi Neptune representing the Government of Nepal and Dr Chinkholal Thangsing AHF Chief, Asia Pacific Bureau representing Shri Michael Weinstein – President, AHF. The brief ceremony started at 1:30 PM was attended by Director Raju Joshi and other officials from the government and leaders from HIVAIDS NGOs in Nepal. Mr Jagdish, Mr Bijay from Youth Vision, Prem Limbu from Recovery Nepal and other representatives from the leading NGOs witnessed the official signing ceremony.

AHF today is an official International NGO recognized to operate in Nepal and the First INGO permitted and approved to sign this MOU in 2008. The officials welcomed the occasion and express their appreciation and AHF mission that reached out to community. “It is an auspicious beginning for Nepal in 2008 and AHF is a boon for the PLHAS in Nepal” said the Director present at the ceremony, which was heartily endorsed by nods from the NGO/Civil society members present.

I wanted to thank the strong support and assistance from numerous organizations and the leadership of the Coalition of HIVAIDS NGOS in Nepal which was set up under the aegis of AHF in 2007. I also would personally like to thank the unwavering support from Prem Limbu, Jagdish, Bijay, Sunil and host of dynamic, fierce yet compassionate HIVAIDS networks their support, the Secretary of Health, MOH for expediting the same. Many thanks to Michael, Henry for the unlimited support and Tom Myers and Laura Boudreau of Legal Department for all legal related advice and inputs.

Well, on the third day of the first month of January 2008 we established and added another country for AHF to spread its mission of providing cutting edge medicine and advocacy. Nepal is now the 6^th country where AHF has life saving programs in the Asia Pacific Region. Definitely the product; the outcome/off spring of the team work with crucial local community support. We are indeed proceeding in the path of being Bigger, Better and Faster – 2008 and beyond.

Committed to saving lives, the AHF way -

Lal and our friends in Nepal,

Kathmandu

Note:

AHF Nepal Cares will assist the Nepal Government, National Center for HIVAIDS and STD Control the apex body for AIDS control in Nepal and the HIVAIDS organization to expand care and treatment services to people living with HIVAIDS in Nepal. AHF will help expand the roll out and scale up of HIVAIDS care and treatment support services and aid in technical training and building of the capacity of healthcare personnel.More than 120,000 people are estimated to be living with HIVAIDS in Nepal and over 9000 people with AIDS and in dire need of life saving care and treatment without which they are likely to perish in a few years.
The first case of HIVAIDS in Nepal was detected in the year 1988. The number of HIV infection rapidly increases each year mainly among the age group of 15 to 49 years. The main mode of transmission is the heterosexual route of transmission. The current estimated number of people infected with HIV stands at 70000 with an estimated 3000 AIDS death annually. The estimated HIV cases by risk group in Nepal is as follows; IDU 9%, MSM 3.6%, Sex workers 1.6 %, Clients of sex workers 19.4%, HIV among the migrant laborers 46%; urban female of low risk population 2.7%, rural female low risk population 17.5%.There are 29 HIVAIDS services sites that offers VCT services, PMTCT services and 11 ART centers currently managed under the aegis of the National Center for HIVAIDS and STD Control, Teku, Kathmandu and involvement of some NGO’s. The Nepal government has targeted to support ART services for 3000 AIDS patients yearly.The country has 3 CD4 machines and out of which only is functional that operates once a month till the recent past. Today, with the increasing demand for CD4 testing the number of days for CD4 testing has been increase to once a week – on Wednesday’s conducting test for 50 clients only.

Friends of AHF Thailand Cares

Khun Deang a friend of Khun Wora and Khun Mai have been the anchor to the plans the guiding light to the collaborative project in Thailand. Seen here at the Center of Hope, Wat Prahbatnampo entrance. The ART Center known as CENTER OF HOPE is a collaborative project between AHF, Dramaraksa Foundation and the Provincial Government of Lop Buri, Thailand.

AHF and Realmedicine Foundation

l
Los Angeles, CA:

The long awaited meeting organised by Terri Ford, AHF Global Advocacy Director at 6255 West Sunset Boulevard - AHF Headquarter finally materialized with Dr Martina Fuchs CEO Realmedicine Foundation visiting AHF office. AHF and Realmedicine jointly shared and agreed to work together to bring about treatment, prevention and other public health needs globally.

Seen here with Dr Martina Fuchs, Michael Weinstein, President AHF at his office.

New Year 2008 Message

Dear All ---,

As we stand at the doors of the New Year 2008, may I offer my humblest gratitude to you all for the magnanimous and wonderful support, the hard work, the true spirit of companionship, the un wavering courage extended as member of AHF family. Your selfless dedication, hard work and generosity contributed to our success and made us sail through smoothly the waves of often turbulent and challenging waters of 2007. We have established and re-established AHF as a truly global leader in the fight against HIVAIDS, a leader among NGOs especially in the Asia Pacific region. We carved our place amongst the crowd of HIVAIDS NGOs though our hard work and our spirited advocacy we have moved and shook the world. It is my prayer that such dedication, inspirational work and strong motivation be carried over into the New Year and beyond.

I am profusely proud to be a member of AHF family for we collectively shouldered responsibility – we ought to be proud that each of our individual contribution led to the success of our work in carrying forward the vision and mission of AHF. Our steadfastness and courage enabled us to meet gigantic challenges and faces them without fear such as those faced in India. We initiated an innovative live saving project ‘Second Line ARV treatment program for AIDS activist’ which immediately hoisted us and established us in the covet pedal of a true HIVAIDS leadership and generated waves of admiration from many. We send tremors in the HIVAIDS NGO and Pharmaceutical world with our daring advocacy for increase access of affordable anti-retroviral drugs. We had shaped history though our courageous act and we entered in the gates of global leaders in fight for Universal Access to AIDS treatment. Whether its establishing new partnership and opening a Clinic in Thailand or expanding to various sites in Cambodia, China and Vietnam we gained the blessings of the local support and leadership which is key to our growth. We stood firm together in our belief and ideals to improve the lot of people living with HIVAIDS and strengthen our resolve. Our fearlessly - bold moves has become a beacon light striking out against injustices whilst sending out rays of hope to many. I hope that we will outshine those and do even better in the New Year as we expand our services bring health, healing and hope.

Our goal of saving lives and our strength lies in oneness which is manifested in our willingness to continue to work hard and stand steadfast as one family. Our contributions, our gifts makes a precious difference in the lives of many – a new life, new beginnings breaking walls of stigma and discrimination. What could be better than giving the gift of love, support, help and assistance, restoring voice to the voiceless and prolonging lives. This is truly a noble task, a task truly rewarding – Let us therefore continue to share our talents, good will and spread the message of kindness and compassion which is the core component of our work to family, neighbors, friends, and to the global community. Let us share a kind word, a kind gesture, a word of praise to each other and congratulate ourselves for the achievements we made in 2007, remembering that we never hesitate to lead and to speak out and set an example.

The New Year 2008 will grant us the precious opportunity to connect our personal expectations and the goals of our organization. Let us together work a little harder extend the bonds of faith, bond of common goal, share in our minds and lend support working together to a bigger, better and greater future for AHF. A special thanks to Michael, Henry and all members of the senior management and all friends of AHF.

A Happy and Prosperous New Year 2008.

Warmest regards,

Dr Chinkholal Thangsing

[New Years Message to Colleagues and friends of AHF. The picture on top was a painting of well know artist Pu Rokhuma of Mizoram displayed at the Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi]