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Yes! There are the voices
Of a human less recognized
United we stand,
Our voices lamenting in unison
We suffer from many inhuman treatments
Oppression, sexual abuse, mistreatment, discrimination to
Mention but a few. To our surprise it seems as if it’s our plight.

Women of Africa come out of that “Cocoon”
You are smart and upright to the best of knowledge
You can make it, you can contribute to the building of our
Beloved country and our continent

Open your eyes, let your ears…be alert,
Carefully look and admire the course at which the rivers
Of development and technology are taking.

Listen to our cry.

Out of a Maasai,
I was born, by chance,
I was privileged to get education
Thanks be to God for this golden opportunity,

Since a Maasai girl doesn’t deserve it
Aware of this idea…I am fully determined,
My own people’s tradition,
I’m worried often…It is said,
Boys are the ones who deserve education
School fees for me is a problem and a waste of money
When will I be considered?
When will I be seen as a human who need equal rights as boys?
I wish I can make it,
My dream to become true, of becoming a doctor
Yes! Yes, a doctor out of a Maasai girl
With this the logic could change.
Help! Help lift me up where all tribes are

Come join us let’s make the best out of humanity.



Thank you!
The Girls of Oldonyonyokie Primary School
Seeking Secondary Education

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At the invitation of Past Rotary International President, Bhichai Rattakul, Marion Bunch went to Bangkok, Thailand in September to work with the Thai government to help create an HIV/AIDS prevention program for the youth of the country. It is RFFA’s belief that the strongest solution for HIV prevention is when multiple sectors of the community work together, to come up with a custom program that responds to the local needs and defines goals, roles and responsibilities. Therefore, in addition to the leadership of the Thai Government’s Director of HIV/AIDS Programs (Dr. Piyathida), Marion asked the following organizations to attend this brainstorming session: Rotary senior leaders of Thailand (including PRIP Bhichai and RC Coordinator, Dr. Saowalak); the Regional Director of FHI 360 (Tony Bondurant); the Director of Coca-Cola Systems Thailand (‘Ohm’ Chareonsilp); and Phairoch Rattakul, the CEO of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company (Haad Thip Co.) and also the brother of Bhichai. (Another NGO – PATH – will join this working group under the direction of Pawana Wienrawee.) These leaders put together a program framework that is, in part, based upon a RFFA-established program in the schools of Georgia/USA. Ongoing meetings will include leading private sector corporations through the leadership of Phairoch Rattakul. See his letter below.

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At the invitation of Past Rotary International President, Bhichai Rattakul, Marion Bunch went to Bangkok, Thailand in September to work with the Thai government to help create an HIV/AIDS prevention program for the youth of the country. It is RFFA’s belief that the strongest solution for HIV prevention is when multiple sectors of the community work together, to come up with a custom program that responds to the local needs and defines goals, roles and responsibilities. Therefore, in addition to the leadership of the Thai Government’s Director of HIV/AIDS Programs (Dr. Piyathida), Marion asked the following organizations to attend this brainstorming session: Rotary senior leaders of Thailand (including PRIP Bhichai and RC Coordinator, Dr. Saowalak); the Regional Director of FHI 360 (Tony Bondurant); the Director of Coca-Cola Systems Thailand (‘Ohm’ Chareonsilp); and Phairoch Rattakul, the CEO of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company (Haad Thip Co.) and also the brother of Bhichai. (Another NGO – PATH – will join this working group under the direction of Pawana Wienrawee.) These leaders put together a program framework that is, in part, based upon a RFFA-established program in the schools of Georgia/USA. Ongoing meetings will include leading private sector corporations through the leadership of Phairoch Rattakul. See his letter below.

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It gives me great pleasure to see this website up and running so the world can finally hear Reagan’s story of hope. Reagan’s Pledge is the brainchild of RFFA President Marion Bunch who has her own personal story of tragic loss through HIV/AIDS. I first met Marion just over 3 years ago. From our first meeting I felt like I had known her all my life. Her passion for making a significant contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS knows no boundaries. It first led her to set up RFFA and in my view build it into the most successful Rotarian Action group ever.

It is through her tireless activities for RFFA that led her to meet Reagan in my home country Kenya. That story is as touching as it is impactful and is the basis for this site. As an African who has also suffered personal loss through HIV/AIDS, I am proud to have been asked by Marion to get The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation to assist in getting Reagan’s Pledge up and running.

Our association with Marion through RFFA has helped thousands of orphans and vulnerable children, just like Reagan, have a fighting chance to make it in life and Reagan’s Pledge is yet another innovation that will raise significant awareness and resources to meet the enormous challenge of assisting the over 12 million orphans and vulnerable children living in Africa today.

Good luck Reagan and thank you for inspiring us all!

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Through our RFFA Board we have received this letter from an American Rotarian currently in Nairobi visiting the Mathare area where RFFA does a lot of work. Eric Jacobson is a member of the (a href="http://www.flowermoundrotaryclub.org/" target="_blank">Rotary Club of Flower Mound in Texas and here is his letter:

I am working right now in the Mathare Valley slums of Nairobi and with some of the very AIDS orphans that RFFA is assisting. The poverty is unimaginable. Rotary is doing something very, very incredible here – giving love and hope where few others venture. I have had a wonderful meeting with the Rotary leaders here and pass you their deepest gratitude. I have found myself spontaneously crying more in the past few days here than in the past few years combined. It is completely wrong for any children on this earth to have to live this way and I have found myself angry with God as I struggle with it. AIDS is a double whammy here and what Rotary and a few other orgs (my wife’s NGO www.alarm-inc.org is another) are doing here is powerful and at this point makes what I do for a living seem ridiculously insignificant.

Please, PLEASE support this cause as I can not imagine a more significant place on this earth where it could be equally felt. Dig deep and make a difference here and I can assure you that I will bring you back pictures that will cause you to know how worthy this is of your contribution.

Please if you can not make it to the auction tonight then make the basic contribution to be an RFFA member. I am a fairly new Rotarian as you all know but one of the things that drew me to this amazing org was the hearts of the people in it. For years, our predecessors stood together to fight Polio and they were relentless. This is the new war we are fighting. As your fellow Rotarian, I want to ask each of you to please become a RFFA member and give the small amount that is required of such. I am sorry but I feel that if we can go to an amazing Rotary fundraiser like Vine and Dine that costs us $200 per couple, then we can certainly put out $100 to stand with our fellow Rotarians over here working full time in this effort. Could we please have 100% participation from the Flower Mound Rotary?

I would appreciate your prayers for my health and safety while here for another week and then an additional week in Uganda. I will be working with AIDS orphans as well up there. Today, I just dressed as a clown and brought them soccer balls and shoes and gave them something to smile about. However, these Rotary heroes are doing something much bigger than that and we will find a cure in our lifetimes.

God Bless,

Eric Jacobson

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It was a pleasure meeting you in Vienna at the Emory/Speranza Foundation reception! I work for a small company in San Francisco that is building a portable test for HIV that can be used in Africa; we’re hoping to expand testing for early infant diagnosis.

I was touched by your story of how you began working with the Rotarians. My mother also lost a son (my older brother) – not to HIV, but an automobile accident when he was 19. I can appreciate the resources you have marshaled in the effort toward fighting HIV/AIDS.

If there is any way I can help your efforts, please let me know!

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Dear Friends,

A few years ago I heard Marion at a Rotary Institute, and like most who hear her, I needed to hear more of the story and needed to hear how one could help.

Also some years ago, a Rotarian friend of mine had a son who died of AIDS related causes. No one knew what to do or what to say. The father was devastated and seemed lost for quite a few years thereafter.

When I contrast what Marion has done out of a tragedy compared to my friend, I see that determined strategic activism is the direction that helps to heal and also saves others from the consequenses of this awful disease.

Marion is one of the most impressive Rotarians I have ever met. She regularly visits where RFFA programs are benefitting young children who have been orphaned through HIV/AIDS related issues. Even though I have not met Reagan, I truly think I know him as Marion has brought his story and the stories of so many others to us in such a vivid way.

Rotarian Action Groups such as RFFA can do so much working with cooperative partners and with Rotarians throughout the world. Groups such as RFFA help the lives of kids and also serve as laboratories for effective action for much larger entities. The work of Marion, RFFA’s partners and Rotarians enrich those we seek to help and also all of us as we learn to become more compassionate and more circumspect about our own station in life and the good grace that we have benefitted from.

One needs only to look at the recent posting of the kid at the dump to see that RFFA needs our support.

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I am Jerry’s older brother Austin. My brother John’s life was taken by a drunk driver when he was only 19, then a few years later when Jerry lost his battle with AIDS, it left me as the only surviving son in our family. It’s been some comfort to me to see that Jerry’s spirit lives on to inspire positive change, not only here in the U.S., but also as a global effort with our mom Marion as a part of RFFA.

I wish my brothers could have seen my children grow up, and that I could call them up for advice. However, I have hope that with the efforts of a world-wide organization helping to fight AIDS, that future advances will be made so that other families will not have to lose a family member to this disease as we did. I feel proud of Marion’s work in the RFFA with the African children who’s lives have been affected by AIDS to help them live better lives, and feel that my brothers are smiling upon her efforts.

Sincerely,
Austin W. Bunch III

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Marion Bunch is an individual who continues to impress me with her drive and determination. I know she and RFFA will achieve much, but they can’t do it without support. So please forward this blog to everyone you know, and together we can all feel like we’ve had a part in the solution. Marion is my aunt and I am very proud of her!

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Many thanks for coming to Los Angeles to share your wonderful story and work at RFFA with D5280’s
Rotarians on Tuesday, January 10 at the Westin LAX. Your passion and caring shone through the grim
statistics of the plight of the 15 million orphans in sub-Sahara Africa, and acquainted us with a well-
organized and operated organization that provides them with hope, and our Rotary clubs a way to lend
a hand. My only regret is not knowing about you and RFFA earlier when I was in Atlanta for the
National Social Studies Conference back in November!

The clip showing Reagan expressing his dream to be a leader someday, was touching, especially as
our current leader Barack Obama as a youngster expressed a similar wish to become a president in an
essay to his third grade teacher. President Obama is the subject of my two latest releases published
by Pacific Heritage Books, MEET PRESIDENT OBAMA: America’s 44th President (ages 6-9)
and BARACK OBAMA: Historymaker (ages 10 through adult), recently honored with the
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award.

As RFFA incorporates one of Rotary International’s focuses, literacy, in its mission and seeks partners
with community organizations and businesses to support the KIDZ Clubs, I would like to relay the
interest of Pacific Heritage Books in partnering with you to bring both books, and perhaps some of its
other children’s titles, to the clubs and the children they serve. Because we are a small independent
publisher, we are unable to make large monetary donations, but we would like to and can offer our
quality publications to RFFA at a special courtesy discount so many children can enjoy them.

Please accept complimentary copies of our children’s books for your consideration and enjoyment.
We look forward to hearing from you should you be interested in partnering in bringing any or all
of them to RFFA’s KIDz Clubs and their members.

Yours in Rotary service,

Angi Ma Wong

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I was privileged to be one of the team during the huge Kenya Mission in September 2008. It brought home to me the esteem and respect in which RI is held by non-Rotarians. It has a reputation that we must guard and enhance at all costs.
The purpose of the mission was to identify and treat AIDS victims. To attract them we offered free medical, optical and dental treatment to children and to females up to the age of 25. I met AIDS-sufferers, orphans and young mothers who had nothing. To see the immediate impact on the quality of their lives as we delivered the medical, optical and dental services was truly rewarding.

MOMENTS THAT TOUCHED YOUR HEART . . .
We hade moments of tragedy, moments that made us smile and moments that touched our hearts.

A young man was brought in with multiple lacerations to his neck and torso, the victim of a knife attack. His needs were beyond the simple resources we had at the camp so we med-evacced him in a 4×4 (SUV) to the nearest Emergency Room. Sadly his injuries proved fatal.

Thomas was a 12 year old who arrived in the clinic rolling his eyes in agony and clutching his stomach. “Where does it hurt?” asked the nurse.

“It’s my stomach, doctor.”

“When did the pain start?”

“Err, tomorrow.” Thomas wanted some medication – any medication – that he could sell as soon as he was out of the camp!

The triage nurses spotted a girl of about 8 years wandering about totally lost and her spirits obviously broken. On her back was an 18 month old infant. On investigation they were the two survivors of their family. Father had gone, mother died of AIDS and the girl was doing her best to care for the infant.

DIGNITY AND PRIDE . . .
The patients lived in metal shanties with earth floors, no santitation or running water. The population of the Mukuru slum is around 750,000. Despite the appalling living conditions these local people took pride in their appearance, always showed a naturally courtesy and carried themselves with pride and dignity.

THE OUTCOME . . .
In 10 working days, 11,000 patients passed through triage and were treated in the medical, optical and dental clinics. Several hundred were referred to the government run Voluntary Treatment and Counselling Clinics that were sited alongside our three health camps.

RFFA was one of the initiators of the mission and one of the principal mobilisation partners. This really was Rotary Service of the highest order.

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As I look at my two healthy teenagers, with two living parents, my heart is broken by the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the children of Africa. It is imperative that those of us who can do something to create more Reagans in Africa, children who without our help will have no future.

We can make such a difference in the lives of the children of Africa due to actions we take today. Without an education, no child has a future. And every child deserves a chance at a future.

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Thx for sharing and congratulations on pushing forward with this tremendous project that can truly impact millions. I admire your courage, perseverence, and leadership for undertaking such a project. I don’t know that you have reason to be in NC at any time but I would still love for you to give your program to my Rotary Clun should the opportunity ever arise.

Again, congrats and stay committed. You are making a difference.

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HOPE worldwide Kenya has been working with RFFA and local Nairobi Rotarians since 2005. Our work together started through a multi country grant from USAID that funded support for an orphans and vulnerable children’s program. It has been exciting, dynamic, encouraging, inspiring, and FUN! I am so grateful to have the privilege of doing the work I do and to be able to work with dynamic, creative, and energetic people like Marion Bunch. And also to be able to work with and serve the communities infected and affected by HIV.

In Kenya all of us know someone who is HIV positive. We see children every day that are poor and in need of love, care, education and support. It’s not only the children that need care and support but their caretakers as well. We constantly look for creative solutions to meet the needs around us — there are so many.

I have the privilege to know Reagan and many of the children and young people that help with the work in the informal settlements of Nairobi. They are like any other child. They have vision, dreams, and desire for a better life.

Currently RFFA has raised USD $ 45,000 that is being used to help pay for education support for children in Mathare Slums in Nairobi Kenya. Though primary education is free there are still costs associated with education which makes it difficult for children to be in school. Things such as uniforms, books, school supplies, tuition, basic health care and disease prevention, and other school levies not supported by the government. Secondary School (High School) is NOT free and the cost is beyond what those living in informal settlements can afford. And though USD $ 45,000 is a lot of money it’s just a drop in the ocean compared to the needs of over one million children in Kenya alone. BUT, it’s a GREAT start and the children and communities are so grateful.

I am also a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Nairobi. RFFA, along with this club and with HOPE worldwide Kenya is pioneering the way forward in developing a Rotary model that will build capacity of poor communites to better serve themselves. The possibilities are so endless this letter could be a mini-book! We will keep sharing over time through the RFFA web site.

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I was very touched to hear Reagan’s words and have a glimpse into his life experiences. He reminds me so much of our own 10 year old son, Callum. Both boys share a curiosity to learn, a drive to make a difference in their community and a shared dream for making the world better. One of the primary differences between these two young hearts and minds is geography… Our son was fortunate enough to be born in North America, and as such, he hasn’t had to suffer and struggle to survive the way Reagan has each day of his life. To loose your parents through AIDS is something no child should have to endure. Let alone 12 million…

My husband and I had the good fortune to meet Marion in Chicago when Rotary celebrated 100 years. She was so inspiring that my husband and I happily joined RFFA. We have witnessed the incredible difference that Rotary can accomplish through it’s many programs, such as the work done with Polio Plus. For some time we had desired to make a contribution towards the fight against aids in Africa. To that end, I am proud to share that my husband, Wayne, volunteered in a medical mission to Nairobi in September 2008. (It’s possible Wayne might even have encountered Reagan without knowing it) The experience was life changing for our whole family and we have been deeply touched by the children of Africa. In video footage he brought home, we were able to hear the melodic voices of the children, saying, “How are you, how are you?”, as they ran beside the shuttle making it’s way through the slum. It’s remarkable to witness the smiles and hope filled faces of these children who have nothing, but demonstrate their simple joy to be alive. Experiences like that create a very humbling perspective indeed. Especially, when so many people we encounter in our daily lives take for granted their privileged lives and rarely share their joy openly with others.

We are so proud of the work RFFA is accomplishing and await the next opportunity to push up our sleeves and help the children of Africa. As our own children continue to grow, we will encourage them to volunteer and take action against the devastation created by Aids in Africa. Together we can make Reagan’s dream a reality!

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Marion Bunch is my sister-in-law. Her husband Austin is one of seven siblings in my husband David’s family. Their 95-year-old mother still participates actively in her children’s lives and encourages us to have family reunions on a regular basis. As we each share what’s important in our lives, we have been privileged to follow Marion’s extraordinary journey since her son Jerry’s death. Her commitment to doing something to fight AIDS and her recognition of Rotary’s potential role is such an inspiration! Keep up the good work

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I am a retired geneticist / immuno-chemist whose career focused on the development of medical tests, including several for HIV. In 2008 I had the privilege of participating in Rotary International’s largest medical mission which took place in Nairobi Kenya. During that trip I met Marion and was as many others, very impressed by her efforts on behalf of those suffering from AIDS. While participating in the medical mission there were opportunities to visit voluntary counseling and testing clinics. This program brings these services to people in the slums eliminating the need to travel to a medical facility. Travel in Kenya as in many parts of the developing world is not easy. The rapid testing component of the program gives the participant their HIV status during an on-site visit allowing immediate further counseling consistent with their condition. AIDs is a totally preventable disease and such counseling and testing can do much to reduce its spread. A YouTube video on this trip can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ericson35#p/u/7/NY4GiHxN7MY .

As a personal note; while participating in a Rotary polio immunization program in Dhaka Bangladesh in 2007 I visited a women’s clinic in the middle of a slum. It was very pleasing to see that they were using an inexpensive HIV rapid test developed by one of my groups in Massachusetts. It is currently being sold by Trinity Biotech to practitioners in developing countries around the world. Such tests are created in laboratories far from the end users and this chance encounter provided a rare glimpse of such efforts in use.

I strongly support RFFA and congratulate Marion on the success of her efforts.

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For me, one of the extraordinary aspects of Rotarians – whether working in their clubs or through a Rotarian Action Group – is their capacity to identify a significant problem or issue that needs to be addressed. Then, by defining the need and potential solutions, Rotarians enlist the support of others to become engaged in the solution. By marshalling the time, talent and resources of others around the world, Rotarians are able to CHANGE the world.

This is no exaggeration. Just take a look at the results to date from Rotary’s Polio Eradication initiative. The seemingly “impossible” has been made possible, thanks to Rotarians and their partners working together. This brings me to Reagan’s Pledge. The hard truth is: HIV/AIDS is a fact of life. I rarely meet a Rotarian who does not know of someone who has AIDS or has died from it. So HIV/AIDS is an issue that most readily understand. Even so, when one considers the millions of innocent children who are victims of the consequences of AIDS – such as the 12 million orphans in Africa – the reality of HIV/AIDS becomes a heart-wrenching moment of truth.

This is where Rotarians step in and Take Action! This where Rotarians For Fighting AIDS (RFFA) – a leading Rotarian Action Group – is making a powerful impact. It is potentially changing the world for good! For sure, RFFA is changing the lives of children such as Reagan Onjiju of Kenya.

Ultimately it can change – forever – the lives of millions. To understand how this can be, just watch the powerful story shared by Marion Bunch in the YouTube video: Reagan’s Dream. With this video, we can only say: case closed! Now it’s time for YOU to Take Action.

Sign up today by joining RFFA and/or by making a generous contribution. By doing so, you will help fulfill Reagan’s pledge … and his dream!

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It was back in the fall of 2003 at the Zone 33/34 Institute that Marion spoke and asked for volunteers to help her in the fight to help Orphans and Vulnerable Children affected by HIV/AIDS. I stepped up to the plate and volunteered and here we are six years later.

Marion is a member of our neighboring Rotary Club and I knew that she had passion to make a difference in what Rotary could do to help fight the poverty that was being caused by the disease in Africa and throughout the World. Our growth was slow at first, speaking to Zones and District Conferences and generating members from like Rotarians who felt a desire to help in this work.

It has been and still is a pleasure to work with Marion and assist in the everyday operations of RFFA and seeing the operation grow and develop leaders throughout the Rotary World helping to overcome the terrible plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Countries affected by HIV/AIDS. The work of the Rotarians in Countries outside North America is amazing because they are living amongst the problems.

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Dear Marion,


Congratulations on your partnership with Reagan’s Pledge and the Kenyan Rotarians. I am most impressed with the accomplishments of Rotarians Against AIDS in harnessing the commitments of community and business leaders throughout the world and it is most appropriate to prioritize partnership with colleagues in Kenya. Much has been accomplished during the first three decades that AIDS has been recognized but we are humbled by the remaining challenges to the individuals and communities affected most deeply by HIV.

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I was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1944. As a young lad I was fascinated by both Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro both which I could see from our coffee farm near Nairobi. In 2001 I returned to Africa for the first time in 40 years, as a consequence of this trip I joined Rotary. I met Marion Bunch in Chicago in 2005 and joined RFFA as I felt that Marion had the right answers for Rotary’s involvement in HIV/AIDS. In 2007 our Rotary club organised an adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to support RFFA and two other Rotary projects in Africa.

Our Kili 28/8 team of 16 visited the Mathare slums on the outskirts of Nairobi with the Rotary Club of Nairobi, our wonderful hosts in Kenya. We were shown around by HOPE World Wide and RFFA’s Orphan Rescue team in Nairobi. 600,000 people exist here. Here, where all semblance of humanity is all but gone, Rotarians are working hard at saving orphans and giving them a chance in life. Amongst the worst living conditions imaginable, here were Rotarians picking up kids and giving them clothing, food and shelter. Rotary’s RFFA is working in partnership with HOPE World Wide.

None of the team left Mathare without being deeply moved. Some of us were in tears during the visit and I am sure that this visit alone has changed everyone in the team. Personally I am more focused than ever on getting RFFA (Australia) into action.

We invite anyone interested to join us on our next adventure back to Africa is to climb the Mountains of the Moon and raise awareness for Reagan Ondiju and the children of Africa; and of course RFFA:

http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org

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I met Reagan and hundreds of his friends and fellow students on my first trip to Kenya with RFFA. We were there to offer basic screening and healthcare to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in three of the worst slum areas of Nairobi. My task was to weigh, measure and complete the paperwork for the sickest children as they waited to see our Doctors and Nurses at the Medical Building in Mukuru.

The sights, sounds, feelings and smells of that week are unforgetable. Thousands of children – Orphans and Vulnerable Children like Reagan, Mothers with babies and toddlers waiting so patiently, with great dignity, for the most basic health care. The sun was hot and the area around the building dry and dusty and water was limited. Still, they waited-some times for days- wearing all the clothing they owned. I was awed by their great kindness and patience. The children were naturally curious, though shy, to see and touch our pale skin and hair. I think I may have terrified some of the youngest one who had never seen someone blond before. They cried loudly before they even saw a Doctor.

It is impossible to know these children, to see their faces and watch them cope with their daily lives in an environment more dreadful than most Americans can even imagine, and not want to help in every way possible. As we filmed Reagan and his school mates, it hurt and angered us to see a uniform sweater that was more raveled thread than knitting. In the video, watch as Reagan puts on the socks that are not even there to go to school.

Every child living in these circumstances deserves hope for a better future. This hope and their dreams can not be achieved without help…so much help for just basic education and nutrition. Please let these children and their dreams and their needs touch your heart as they have mine. Let us all work together to support the dream of an HIV Free future for every one of these 12 million orphans.

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I was first introduced to RFFA when I met Marion Bunch in Washington, D.C. several years ago to dream together about the future. We walked the halls of the U.S. Congress and met with federal agencies to seek HIV/AIDS funding for children in Africa. Those dreams are being realized today and I have now walked with Marion in Reagan’s challenging Kenyan neighborhood. The great good that is being done is evident to all and many children with stories like Reagan’s are being helped. It is our honor at HOPE worldwide to partner with RFFA in this life-changing cause.

Thank you Marion and RFFA.

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I was lucky enough to be in Nairobi with the RFFA Medical Mission when Marion met Reagan and the rest is history. Reagan now has hope and a future because of this fortuitous circumstance and the determination of one person to make a beneficial difference in Reagan’s life.

However, there are 12 million Reagans out there in Africa – male and female – waiting for someone to give them hope and a future.

You can be that someone by joining an/or contributing to RFFA and its activities.

I joined RFFA because by doing so I could make a difference and create a small island of hope in that ocean of desperate need. I joined the board of RFFA because I could help to make that island of hope bigger.

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It amazes me when I think of the wonderful, smart and powerful people I have met from all over the world because of this journey I have been on for 12 years. I am just one Rotarian among a Million! And although I’m a business woman, I’m just a Mom who lost a child to AIDS – not a public health expert! On the plus side, however, was the fact that I was propelled by a higher power to do something, and I could/can feel it every day since Jerry tapped me on the shoulder.

One key moment in my journey was in 2002. I was speaking at a Rotary Zone Institute to about 500 Rotarians, and in the front row was the President of Rotary International – Bhichai Rattakul of Thailand (former Deputy Prime Minister of that country). When I was done with my speech, he led a standing ovation, then came up and reached for my hands across the podium and said: “Marion, will you help me put together a plan to help the victims of AIDS, especially the children of Africa?” I gulped, and said, “Yes Sir, of course.” But inwardly I thought “what am I going to do and will I be able to do it?”

I went back to the concept, once again, of partnership. I knew Rotarians’ role would be that of volunteer support. I needed an AIDS expert organization once again, and I called upon HOPE worldwide whose Regional Director of Africa I had met in 2001. I also thought it would be great if we could get a multinational corporation involved that worked in Africa. I began talking to The Coca Cola Company, both here in Atlanta headquarters as well as in Africa. It took awhile to get to the right decision makers (that’s for another chapter), and Coca Cola finally agreed to help us.

I learned that we would need a “Monitoring and Evaluating” partner if we were going to do a large multi-country AIDS program in Africa. I asked Dr. Jim Curran, Dean of the School of Public Health, if Emory University would take on that role – and he said yes. Finally, we needed a lot of money (!), and a new friend, Sandy Thurman, called and asked me if she could help. I quickly said yes, and she suggested that we all go after PEPFAR funds (President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). (Sandy is the former White House AIDS Czar appointed by President Bill Clinton). We met in her offices to plan out a program for helping 146,000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children in six countries in Africa. We wrote a proposal and after two tries, we won a grant in the amount of $8.1 Million USD.

As I’ve said many times – the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been and the things I have learned are amazing and such a blessing…..

Please write me your thoughts……

Marion

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Back in 1997 when I felt propelled to do something about the AIDS issue working through Rotary, I was particularly interested in getting an HIV/AIDS awareness program started in the schools in Georgia. Yes, the students in middle and high schools were learning about HIV in their health classes, but they only really “got it” at an intellectual level, not a “gut” level! They, like all teenagers, felt invincible. They figured that HIV would be contracted by “the other guy,” not them!

I also realized that Rotarians were not “AIDS experts.” Rotary’s biggest asset is its human resource capacity. There are 1.2 Million Rotarians in over 200 countries in the world who choose to do volunteer work in their local communities. In Georgia there are 70 Rotary Clubs and thousands of Rotarians. So I believed partnership between Rotarians in Georgia with a group that could design an AIDS Awareness program for the school children was the answer.

I therefore cold-called the Executive Director of AID Atlanta (Tony Braswell) and presented my idea of partnership to him and his management team. Remember, this was 1997, and very few people in mainstream society were openly discussing AIDS. Well, the AID Atlanta group looked at me like I was half-crazy and said, “We’ve tried to get into the schools, but they have turned us down.” I said “You don’t understand something – Rotary “IS THE SCHOOLS” – we are the superintendents, the school board members and so on. If YOU design a program, WE will get it approved.” And we did! We got it approved in 28 County and City school systems.

AID Atlanta created a program whereby young adults that live with HIV speak openly about their personal story to the teenagers in the middle and high schools of Georgia. They meet in a general assembly setting for one hour. Rotarians introduce the program, AID Atlanta speakers talk, and then there is a general question/answer period. The speakers are given a stipend by Rotary Clubs to make this effort. It is a powerful and sobering message to the students.

Today (2010) over 354,000 students in Georgia have attended the Rotary District 6900 AIDS Awareness program. It began with “one small step”, lots of passion to make an impact on children’s lives, and Jerry urging me on – saying “you Go, Mom.”

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Dear Friends,

My name is Marion Bunch, and I am a woman who has multiple roles in life – as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a business woman and a Rotarian. The messages I want to share with you will be about being a Mom, a Rotarian and now a leader of an organization that is playing an important role in the battle against HIV/AIDS – something I never dreamed possible!

You see, I realized the worst tragedy I believe a Mom can face in life – the loss of a child. My second born child, a boy named Jerry, died of AIDS in 1994. This is not something any mother is prepared to experience, much less from a disease that no one wants to discuss. AIDS is so stigmatized and anyone that has it is discriminated against, even today in America. It was an extremely isolating experience for Jerry, for me and our entire family.

Jerry died the year before the anti retroviral drugs were discovered, so AIDS at the time meant an ultimate death sentence. I remember Jerry telling me every week which one of his friends died – maybe John, or Mary, or whoever – but they died alone in the hospital without any family support! There is such extreme prejudice associated with HIV/AIDS and a false belief that it is the result of a few promiscuous people having multiple sex partners.

I did nothing for 3 years after Jerry died and really couldn’t talk about it without crying. But then one day I was sitting in my Rotary Club meeting and saw a headline in the Club bulletin announcing that the Rotary International President wanted to do something in the fight against AIDS. Right then and there, Jerry impatiently tapped me on the shoulder whispered in my ear to “get up and get going, and do something about it.” It was clearly an Epiphany of a moment that changed my life forever.

I took one small step to do something in 1997 – and that “one small step” has resulted in my leading a global organization called Rotarians For Fighting AIDS (RFFA). We focus our work primarily in Africa, but Rotarians and friends from all over the world have begun to help us make a difference.

In this “online community”, I will share this incredible, unbelievable journey that I have been on since 1997, the things I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve faced, the places I’ve been and the wonderful people I have met.

Please write me back and share your personal stories with us so that together, we can make a significant difference in the disease that the World Health Organization calls “the most devastating disease humankind has ever faced.”

Warmest regards to all,

Marion

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I can remember like it was yesterday about my first trip to Africa. A fellow Rotarian from my Rotary Club of Dunwoody (Atlanta, GA) asked me in 2001 if I would be interested in going to Africa with a couple of other Rotarians. They were planning to go to Burundi (a small very poor country in Africa) to follow up the delivery of hospital equipment there. I was surprised to be asked, but also so excited about the potential of what I could learn about HIV/AIDS at the Epicenter of the disease. They said they could expand the trip to other African countries on the continent. So after consulting my husband, Austin, I said yes!

If one has never traveled to a developing country, it is really difficult to appreciate the disparity between them and us (U.S. or Europe, etc.) There are such extremes in the world – not only in terms of poverty levels, but also health care infrastructure, literacy, stable/or unstable governments and especially the rights of women! The women in the developing world have NO rights, especially when it comes to negotiating safer sex, regardless of whether the partner is her husband and/or is HIV Positive! That was really a surprise to me and has continued to be a very concerning issue.

On that first trip, I learned so much. And I also had a particularly memorable experience. You have to remember that I am only a Mom that lost a child to AIDS – not a Public Health Expert nor a World Traveler.

When we were in Kampala, Uganda, the Rotarians there wanted to take us to a rural area about an hour’s drive from the capitol city. They wanted us to meet a Grandmother of ten grandchildren whose parents had ALL died of AIDS – and she ended up being responsible for raising these ten children. The Kampala Rotarians were very proud of the fact that they had built her a much better “hut” for her to live in with the children.

We arrived at her humble hut, and she was so surprised that she had visitors. Three of her grandchildren were hanging on her skirts, very shy of strangers. We explained (through translators) that we were from the United States and that we were hoping that many Rotarians would be able to help her and others like her. She became quite animated, and she told us that she wanted to begin a business whereby she would earn money by buying/and then re-selling coal to the people in the community. We casually asked her “how much would it cost to begin this business?” She answered “Maybe $100 USD. ” My fellow Rotarian from the U.S. and I looked at each other and said: $50.00 a piece?” — We both nodded Yes, pulled out our wallets and handed her the money. She got down on her knees and cried, grabbing our hands in appreciation – and we all dissolved in tears. To this day, we remember this Grandmother and the fact that we are part of an entrepreneurial enterprise in Uganda!!

I will never forget that moment and feel so lucky to have experienced it.

Best to all,

Marion

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I was lucky enough to be in Nairobi with the RFFA Medical Mission when Marion met Reagan and the rest is history. Reagan now has hope and a future because of this fortuitous circumstance and the determination of one person to make a beneficial difference in Reagan’s life.

However, there are 12 million Reagans out there in Africa – male and female – waiting for someone to give them hope and a future.

You can be that someone by joining an/or contributing to RFFA and its activities.

I joined RFFA because by doing so I could make a difference and create a small island of hope in that ocean of desperate need. I joined the board of RFFA because I could help to make that island of hope bigger.

Mark Doyle
Global Chair Rotarians for Fighting AIDS (RFFA)
(A Rotarian Action Group)
Director RFFA ANCHOR Operations Africa

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