The head of RAPIDS, Bruce Wilkinson, speaks about the partnerships between the United States government, the Zambian government and faith groups like RAPIDS that make Mututa possible. I'm impressed by Mrs. Mwanawasa, who speaks powerfully about the challenges of HIV/AIDS facing her country and outlines Zambia's program to defeat the epidemic.
In between, we are treated to more performances. Mututa's drama club, supported by the Salvation Army, acts out a skit. Stepping in tune to lively drumbeats, in silent pantomime, they dramatize the dangers of early sexual activity and teach girls the importance of education and self-respect. Later, we hear from a choir of AIDS orphans. With the simple trust and love known only to children, they sing "Ekow Mwaba Yawe" ("God, You Are Really There"), a praise song in their local dialect: "When I pray, when I cry, when I am ill, you are there."
I speak about some of the U.S. programs that support Mututa and that work with the Zambian government to address the greatest health crises facing this beautiful nation. The American people have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to Zambia through PEPFAR. And just a few months ago, the President's Malaria Initiative launched the Zambia Partnership. This initiative will distribute 500,000 mosquito nets to the country's most vulnerable households before the next malaria-transmission season in November. They'll reach about 1 million young children, pregnant mothers and people infected with HIV -- almost 10% of Zambia's population. Some of the nets are going to Mututa.