Friends of Cecily's Fund, and other invited guests, enjoyed what one Friend described as a "wonderful, informative and inspiring evening" in a room off the historic Westminster Hall in the heart of the Houses of Parliament. After an exclusive tour of parts of the Houses of Parliament, Friends heard four distinguished panelists discuss the challenges of responding to the HIV epidemic in the face of the current economic crisis.

Canon Gideon Byamugisha, who was the first African leader to make public his HIV positive status and who campaigns tirelessly for the prevention and destigmatisation of HIV, said that while faith groups had long been using their vast geographic reach to support communities dealing with HIV, they could do more to promote safe practices, available medicines, voluntary testing and empowerment through education (SAVE).

Sky News presenter, Lukwesa Burak said that the news industry knows that more can be done to highlight HIV and AIDS.  “AIDS was a very big story in the 80’s, but it has slowly been pushed down the agenda by more immediate stories like the Libyan uprising,” she said, and encouraged us to send in compelling stories which remind people that HIV is still an issue.

Jenni Gillies of the international brewing firm, SABMiller, described how the company helps its employees deal with HIV through voluntary testing, education and by providing treatment to both staff and their spouses - although it is difficult to reach all spouses who need help. She challenged other firms to follow their example and provide health care to staff in countries with high HIV prevalence. 

“It is cost effective to invest in health care for your HIV positive employees.  All the research supports this and we have demonstrated it in our own company” said Gillies.

Russell Brown MP said ”As a nation the UK is in a position to be the international leader on the HIV response. We can make a strong case on this to the UN in June and can also give firm financial commitments ourselves there.”

Basil Eastwood, co-founder and former chair of Cecily’s Fund highlighted the risk that prevention would get squeezed out by aid budget cuts and the ever increasing costs of therapy. But he also challenged all sectors to do more to look after the orphans left behind by those who had died, as Cecily's Fund is doing.

The discussion was rounded off by Joseph Zimba (left), who was orphaned at a young age and was supported through secondary school in Zambia by Cecily’s Fund. Joseph, who is now a scholarship student at the Pestalozzi International School in Sussex, said,

“I feel really honoured to be here with so many learned people who have come together to discuss this important issue. Listening to the discussion has made me realise that it is everyone’s responsibility to respond to HIV and if we work together we will definitely succeed.”

Contact us if you would like more extensive notes of the discussion are available on request.

Find out more about becoming a Friend of Cecily's Fund and be invited to future events like this, and help vulnerable children stay in school long term.