Bissau, Guinea Bissau Ten years of presence of the Community of SantEgidio in the country, giving new hope to those infected by AIDS
A meeting entitled “The DREAM becomes reality: a Guinea Bissau without AIDS” was held in Guinea Bissau to mark the tenth anniversary (1997 – 2007) of the presence of the Community of Sant’Egidio in this country.
The meeting, which took place in the hall of the “Community of Sant’Egidio” hospital, saw the participation of the Health Minister, the envoy of the President of the Republic, the Secretary of International Cooperation, the Bishop of Bissau and of many representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations. More than 100 health workers from Guinea Bissau were present as were all the members of the hospital staff.
For the first time, a DREAM campaigner of Bissau spoke publicly about her experience of the programme: “We are men and women, sick and healthy, who want to show that AIDS is not synonymous with death and with shame. New life is born! With AIDS, it is possibly to live well and in good health, with one’s friends, leading a normal life in society.”
The President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, later received all the delegation of the Community, thanking its members for activities undertaken in the country and expressing hope of further development.