The DREAM Programme was presented on June 27th at the Cameroon Bishops’ Conference, gathered together in Yaounde for its plenary assembly.

It was an opportunity to talk in more detail about the Programme which had already been spoken of both when the Dschang DREAM centre, run in co-operation with the Daughters of Charity, was inaugurated and above all during Benedict XVI’s apostolic visit during which he met both operators and patients of the centre together with members of the Cameroon Church.

The presentation aroused much interest and was followed by many requests for collaboration on the part of various bishops and numerous religious congregations who would like to extend this type of service for AIDS patients to their own diocese or health care centres.

In fact in Cameroon treatment is guaranteed only if paid for and many patients cannot even begin the therapy while others are not able to afford to continue it after the initial phase.

Thus, the prospect outlined by DREAM is particularly welcome, giving hope both to those in need of treatment and to those who care about their welfare.

And the birth of the first healthy baby from the Dschang centre’s vertical prevention programme is a further sign that helps us to face the future with hope.