Events, News features & Testimonies

Saturday 9 September 2006:

Official Innauguration of WAPO MISSION HAKUNA LISILOWEZEKANA HIV/AIDS PROGRAM by The President of The United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete on Saturday, September 9, 2006 officially inaugurated Hakuna Lisilowezekana HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme, which aims at reducing the rate of infections.

He launched two projects under the Programme named, Bora Subiri, which is targeting unmarried people and Tosheka Naye for married couples.

The inauguration ceremony, which attracted hundreds of people was held at the Biblical Counseling and Intercession Centre (BCIC) located at Mbezi Beach on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam.

The president commended the Bishops for coming up with the programme, which he said if the target audience will adhere to its core messages, then our country will significantly reduce the rate of HIV infections. He reiterated the importance of people to change their sexual behavours as the country is bound to loose its manpower (human resource) if many people will be infected with HIV and eventually die of AIDS.

He also noted that the government has started to administer anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs to the people infected with the virus and that the drugs are very expensive; and therefore it is very important to reduce new infections so that the government does not use a lot of money for the drugs.

The occasion was graced by a number of dignitaries including Government Ministers, Dar Es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Kinondoni District Commissioner, Executive Chairman of Tanzania Commission For AIDS (TACAIDS), Leaders of Political Parties and members of donor communities.

Speaking during the occasion, the Programmes’ National Director, Bishop Sylivester Gamanywa who is also the visionary of the programme said several bishops from Christian denominations have decided to join hands to fight the pandemic, which is now spreading at alarming rate.

He said that it have been proven by researchers in other parts of the world that behavior change is the most effective way to reducing HIV infections.

The programme will also focus on serving People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHAs) by providing them with nutritious food which is necessary for their immune boost and also provide them with spiritual and moral support. Also secondary schools both Ordinary and Advanced Level will be built to cater for orphans whose parents died of AIDS.

The Hakuna Lisilowezekana HIV/AIDS Programme is headed by Bishop Sylivester Gamanywa with an advisory committee comprising Bishop Dr. Peter Mwamasika (KKKT), Fr. Chesco Peter (RC Dodoma), Bishop Charles Salala (AICT), Bishop Eliud Issangya (IEC), Missionary Len Mittelstaedt (PAOC), Bishop Alpha Mohammed (Anglican), Bishop Leonard Mwizarubi (EAGT), Bishop Paul Samwel (FPCT) and Rev. Titus Mkama (TAG).

Some of the Bishops who were present:

Bishop Dr. Peter Mwamasika (KKT) Advisor

Bishop Eliud Issangya (IEC) Advisor

Bishop Charles Salala (AICT) Advisor

Missionary Len Mittelstaedt(PAOC)Advisor

Other Inauguration Pictures