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Last Updated: 7/7/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 27
Sign: Capricorn

City: London
State: London and South East
Country: UK
Signup Date: 4/24/2006

Blog Archive
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Thursday, July 09, 2009 
Thanks so much to all of you who answered our call for questions. We recently asked our fans on Facebook and followers on Twitter: 'what do you want to know about (RED)?' and we've picked out the top 5 questions to respond to.

Here's the answer to question number 1:
How much money has been raised and where does it go?

In the three years since we launched, (RED) partners and events have generated over $130 million to help eliminate aids in Africa. 100% of this money is put to work on the ground in Africa through the Global Fund. (RED) doesn't touch any of this money and the Global Fund does not take any overhead, so every single dollar has impact. To date, the programs supported by (RED) and Global Fund financed grants have reached more than 4 million people.

To determine where the money goes the Global Fund and (RED) agree to select countries where there is both need and where existing Global Fund HIV and AIDS grants are already working effectively. Ensuring results is critical. Currently (RED) money flows to Global Fund financed AIDS grants in 4 African countries: Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda and Swaziland. And we should be announcing a new country soon!

So, how’s the money used? While each program is unique and designed by the local country, they include antiretroviral treatment for children and adults, treatment to help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, essential counseling and testing activities to reduce the overall risk of HIV transmission, and clear and accurate communications campaigns to promote prevention. Already, the programs (RED) money supports have provided:

111,000 HIV-positive people with antiretroviral therapy.
Over 70,000 HIV positive pregnant women with preventative antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
3.4 million people with HIV testing and counseling.
And, beyond this, the programs have helped build health facilities, train health practitioners and care for children orphaned by AIDS.
So although there is more work to be done the impact of (RED) money so far has been overwhelming, thanks of course to your (RED) purchases.
Thursday, July 02, 2009 
A man dressed in a t-shirt and jeans walks through the timber market with a loud-speaker, addressing the area’s predominantly male workers in the local Twi dialect.
“Know your status. Come and test with us today, here in the market....” he begins.


Joshua is HIV negative, but his wife tested positive last year – a ‘discordant couple’ is the term used to describe them by health workers. Motivated by his wife’s status, he has volunteered for the last few months with the outreach programme run by the Ridge Hospital in Accra, and he regularly joins a team of nurses and counsellors taking a mobile testing unit out into the local community.


Dr Sally-Ann Ohene, one of the HIV and AIDS specialists in Accra attributes the enormous uplift in HIV testing and counselling take-up to just such programmes. The programme she works on, partly funded by (RED) money via the Global Fund and organisations such as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has reached twice the number of people they had hoped with testing and counselling, over-delivering against their 2008 targets by more than 100%.

“People in Ghana do not go to hospital unless they are very sick – or visiting someone”, explains Kwadwo Asante, of the NACP. And so the medical staff from the hospitals, with the support of the NACP and Ghana Health Services decided to take the staff into the communities.

The Ridge Hospital outreach programme has been running for two months. The timber market where we watched them in action is a vast, busy industrial area, providing work for a large number of Ghanaians, many from rural areas who also live and sleep in the manufacturing area.

Four testing ‘centres’ have been set up, each providing broader sexual health information, HIV testing and counselling, often by people who are themselves HIV positive. They call these people ‘Models of Hope.’

Margaret is one such ‘Model of Hope’, and as well as volunteering at the Ridge Hospital, she is a key member of the outreach team. A large group of men were gathered around the testing table as we arrived, and one by one they took a number, sat themselves in the chair in front of her and were handed a plastic mouth swab. This relatively non-obtrusive means of testing – individuals vigorously rub the tooth brush-like swab stick around their mouths for half a minute - allows people to receive a result around ten minutes later.

Nearly 400 people were tested in total by this mobile unit on the day we visited; for those who test positive, immediate counselling was on hand and arrangements made to follow up with further testing at the hospital, and treatment being provided as required. People like Margaret, and Richard, another HIV positive counsellor, were able to give first hand advice and support. In Margaret’s words, “to make them know they are not alone.”

The professionalism, dedication and integrity of Margaret, Joshua, Richard, the medical teams and administrative staff is inspiring. They work tirelessly in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and their efforts are clearly being felt. The stigma of HIV within communities is still strong, but the prevalence levels of the virus are falling and the numbers of Ghanaians who ‘know their status’ is rising. For those infected, antiretroviral (ARV) treatment allows them to manage the virus and carry on living active lives. And the programmes funded by the Global Fund, with money from (RED) purchases are a significant factor in this huge shift. There’s a long way to go, but things are moving in the right direction, and with your support, these outreach teams will continue to play a fundamental role in helping to eliminate HIV and AIDS in Ghana.

Here’s to the teams in Ghana, and here’s to all of you for supporting (RED). Thank you. Buy (RED), Save Lives. It makes a difference.

Lisa @ (RED)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 



It’s none other than Maria Shriver, California first lady and friend of (RED). She’s sporting her (RED) Converse’s while teaming up with first Lady Michelle Obama to volunteer last week at a San Francisco elementary school as part of President Obama’s United We Serve plan. And for other influential women of (RED) don’t miss Converse’s new Women in (RED) series which currently features 1HUND(RED) artist Amy Ruppel. Keep up the good work ladies!
Friday, June 26, 2009 
At (RED) we love birthdays. It’s a time when the work that you all do in supporting (RED) really hits home. Because of you and your purchases of (PRODUCT) RED, we’ve been able to get life-sustaining antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on the ground in Africa to people living with HIV, People who, thanks to funds contributed by (RED) initiatives, are celebrating their birthdays this month.

Little Katleho from Lesotho is seven this month. His mom, Caroline, is HIV-positive and every year around this time she stops to think about how Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission treatment (PMTCT) helped her give birth to her healthy and beautiful son. She was pregnant with Katleho when she learnt that she was HIV positive and was able to access PMTCT antiretroviral therapy.

It’s hard to believe looking at this beautiful photo of the two of them below that one of them is HIV positive and one is not. But that’s the power of the PMTCT treatment which your (RED) money helps finance in Lesotho, Swaziland, Rwanda and Ghana.


Caroline and her healthy son Katleho

From little boys to grandmothers: “This Thing” in Ghana turns 55 later this month. She goes by the nickname “This Thing” because stigma is quite a problem for many people living with HIV in Ghana. This lively and spritely HIV positive grandmother began taking antiretroviral therapy four year ago.

“This Thing” chuckled when she told me: “I’m strong, I can do anything a man can do”.

And she does work hard. “This Thing” is typical of many grandmothers in Africa as she plays a vital role not only in helping support her immediate family but also by helping to care for her daughter’s children so her daughter can work and earn some money as well. In fact, thanks to ARV’s which (RED) helps finance in Ghana, “This Thing” is just like any grandmother in her village.

Happy Birthday to everyone who has a birthday this month.

Greta
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 
This has been my first trip to Africa. And it is one I will never forget. 

On the trip, we visited Korle Bu HIV clinic in Accra, Ghana, one of the largest hospitals in Africa with one of the busiest HIV clinics in the country. Dr. Addo, the head of the National AIDS Control Program, took us on a tour of the Fevers Unit, the Chest Clinic and the laboratory and pharmacy. The Fevers Unit is where they treat all of their HIV patients – there are over 10,000 registered patients. It is called the Fevers Unit because before HIV existed this was where they treated tropical diseases. Today, it operates almost 100% to support and care for HIV patients. We met the nurses and technicians who have endless spirit and are some of the most inspiring women and men I’ve met. Their dedication to their patients and their firsthand telling of the miracle of antiretroviral medicine (ARVs) is incredible to hear first hand. 

The (RED) Global Fund HIV/AIDS grant in Ghana currently provides a significant portion of the financing for antiretroviral therapy nationally. They are doing so many impressive things to eliminate AIDS in Ghana. They are working hard on decreasing prevalence rates, on increasing the number of babies born HIV-free, and on providing treatment so that people can live with HIV rather than dying from AIDS. 

We had the privilege of speaking with one of the HIV positive patients at Korle Bu who is currently receiving ARVs. He spoke of his experience going on the ARVs and the stigma attached to being HIV positive. In Ghana there is a tremendous amount of stigma towards people with HIV. But they are working to change this. The hospital has seen great success with a “Know Your Status” campaign that is being supported in the local communities by the staff at Korle Bu. One week a month they go out to the local communities to encourage testing so people can know their status and either receive the treatment they need or know that they are healthy and take precautions in their daily life. The patient we met is feeling good thanks to ARVs and has the support of his wife and family. By taking the ARVs he has a chance at living a long, healthy life. 

Today I came away with an overwhelming sense of hope. There is a lot of work still to be done in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ghana but the continued contributions for the Global Fund and Dr Addo’s work from the sale of (RED) products are helping Ghana’s efforts in that fight. It’s a powerful thought – that the purchase of an (Apple) RED iPod in Tokyo or a pair of (Converse) RED sneakers in the U.S. can contribute in this way. 

Jen @ (RED)
Friday, June 19, 2009 
June 19, 2009

After an incredibly educational trip to Ethiopia, we have finally made our way to one of the four countries that (RED) money is working in - Ghana. Boy, it’s HOT here!

Today we’re planning on visiting facilities that are funded by the Global Fund and supported by (RED) – I’m really looking forward to seeing our (RED) money at work. (RED) money goes directly to The Global Fund which invests it in HIV/AIDS programs on the ground in Africa. We’re very proud of the fact that the every cent of the donation that any of our (PRODUCT) RED partners such as Apple or Gap sends to the Global Fund from the sale of a (RED) product gets to Africa –no overhead is taken out.

We are on our way to see two hospitals where we will learn more about HIV testing, counseling, and ARV treatment. One of the hospitals focuses on prevention of mother to child transmission and hopefully we will get to meet some of the mothers and their infants who have successfully completed the transmission treatment. More than 70,000 HIV positive pregnant women have received preventative antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission due to support from funds from the Global Fund and (RED) so this will mean a lot to us.

Our trip so far has been amazing. We have met so many people here that are affected by a variety of challenges and yet still stay so strong, determined and hopeful in the face of their adversity. Meeting them has been my favorite part so far. We’ll be reporting back later on today’s visits.

Molly @ (RED)
Thursday, June 18, 2009 
June 18, 2009

Over the past decade, Ethiopia has made great strides in enrolling children in primary school. Thanks to significant new investments by the government and donor partners, primary school enrollment rates more than doubled between 1999 and 2007 (from 34% to 71%). However, the rate of transition to secondary school remains low and employment opportunities for youth who do graduate are limited.

On day 3 of our trip to Africa, we were able to witness and discuss these successes and challenges first-hand, as we visited the Ministry of Education for a meeting with senior Ministry officials and also visited a local primary school. Here are some photos I took.

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?drafts&id=6829493713#/album.php?aid=121153&id=6829493713

-Morgana Wingard
ONE
Thursday, June 18, 2009 
We just wanted to share some photos of a school we visited in Ethiopia today. Even with the strain of limited resources Ethiopia is making strides to increase their student enrollment. In fact in sub-Saharan Africa the proportion of primary school age children enrolled in school increased from 56% in 1999 to 70% in 2006 – the fastest increase of any region. Thanks in large part to debt relief and development assistance that’s an increase of 34 million children in primary school between 1999 and 2006. In Ethiopia alone, the Minister of Education told us that they have put 15 million additional children in school in the last 16 years.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009 
It’s Father’s Day on June 21st in most countries around the world. Many of us here at (RED) will be spending our Father's Day returning from this week's trip to Africa. As we interact with other fathers a continent away from our own, we'll undoubtedly be thinking of our own dads and how important they are in our lives. Important? Yes. In style? Not always! (RED) has a few gift ideas that can help in both style tips and more importantly, in helping other dads and their families in Africa.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 
A look at day two from our delegation traveling through Ethiopia and Ghana.


What was one of today’s great highlights? Efficiency, energy and entrepreneurialism harnessed around Ethiopia’s oldest product: coffee. For someone that treasures their morning latte, it was truly an inspirational lesson.

Ethiopian’s take their coffee seriously, which is not surprising given that it contributes 60% of their export earnings (valued at $525 million) and employs 15 million farmers.
Our first briefing was at the Coffee Cooperative, an efficient model of scalable enterprise that provides farmers with a platform to sell their coffee. Over the last decade, this cooperative has successfully grown in size and scale.

Our next stop was the “Coffee Plant and Warehouse Enterprise,” a plant that processes over 600 metric tons of coffee per year. We were immediately captivated by the “Stacking and Storage Plant,” the spot where the Cooperative coffee first arrives from various farms. The delivery team of 150 unload the bags from the truck and run with lightning speed—with the 85 kilo bag on their head—to their next teammate, who stacks the unsorted coffee bags on a trolley and runs even faster to deposit the bags into the sorting area. Next, four durable machines sort the beans by grade, depositing them into the “sorting room.” Here, 200 women hand sort the beans, the sound of their peaceful efficiency in stark contrast to the high-pitched hum of the earlier machines. Finally, the sorted coffee is stored until the order is fulfilled and sent to the port of Djibouti.

And why the speed of the runners, who deliver 85 kilo bags with great hollering and cheering during an eight hour day? Load balancing of the four processing machines ensures consistency of operation. Now that’s a stimulant!

This energetic plant employs approximately 1000 people – 380 contractors, 400 women and 150 delivery men. Plum jobs are the permanent employees – paid over one dollar per day, with eligibility for an annual bonus, limited healthcare and the opportunity to benefit from the sale of the “by product husks.” Temporary workers are paid 50 cents a day, with a three month contract.

Our last stop of the day was a true inspiration. The Ethiopia Coffee Exchange (ECX), founded by Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, opened in April 2008. The ECX, an open outcry system, now trades 100% of Ethiopia’s coffee, plus a portion of other grains. This is Africa’s first electronic commodity exchange: a model of trust, transparency and integrity. Now that’s inspiring entrepreneurialism!

-Juliet Flint