Bono Associate Starts New Africa/Aids Website

Starting on Valentine's Day, people will be able to visit a new website which will directly link them with some of those most directly affected by the AIDS pandemic in Africa. The website of the Mulago Positive Women's Network of Kampala Uganda, headed by Agnes Nyamayarwo, a main spokesperson of ONE (the Campaign to Make Poverty History), founded by Bono went online on Valentine's Day, to encourage people around the world to "Have a Heart for Africa".

The HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa has been recognized as the worst health epidemic in modern human history. Already, over thirty-seven (37) million people have died of AIDS around the world with at least twenty-five (25) million of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Since Valentine's Day, there has been a new website which highlights the challenges of "living positively" with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The website of the Mulago Positive Women's Network (MPWN) offers a unique opportunity for the public to interact with some of those in Africa directly affected by the AIDS pandemic. The website contains personal stories of some of the women of the MPWN along with links to associated websites where visitors can learn more about how they can help stop HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa.

Visitors are also able to purchase some of the traditional African craft items that the women of the MPWN produce. All proceeds from the sale of these craft items will go directly to the women who produce them. Craft items available for purchase include African beaded necklaces, batik wall hangings, hand-carved wooden statues, African baskets of all colors, shapes and sizes and an African mother with child doll handmade by Agnes Nyamayarwo herself.

Agnes Nyamayarwo is the main facilitator of the Mulago Positive Women's Network. The MPWN was started in January 2004 to address the special needs of HIV+ women in Uganda. Based in Kampala Uganda, the MPWN functions as a support network to assist its members in "living positively" with HIV/AIDS.

The MPWN is affiliated with TASO (The AIDS Support Organization) of Uganda - one of the longest established and most prestigious African-initiated AIDS organizations in the continent.

Agnes Nyamayarwo has often been referred to by Bono, of the rock band U2, as one of the "heroes" of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In 2002, during a trip to Africa, Bono visited with several members of TASO, including Agnes, and was inspired by her courage in her personal struggle with HIV/AIDS.

Agnes would become a main speaker on the "Heart of America" tour with Bono in December 2002 which launched DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa). Agnes is also a main spokesperson for ONE, the Campaign to Make Poverty History where she continues to this day to advocate on behalf of the world's poorest people.

Bono continues his activities for Africa through DATA and ONE as well as through RED and EDUN.

The Mulago Positive Women's Network would like to thank Jason Liebe and Iterative Media of Austin Texas for their assistance in the creation and maintenance of their website. Other notables to thank are Juliet Tembe and TASO, all the people at DATA and ONE, Debbie Kreuser and Sue Sadkowski who championed this website from start to finish and Bono - for all that he has done and continues to do for Africa.

For more information call (512) 992-7782.

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