FXB at work in India

[Guest guest]

GLOBAL ADVOCATE FOR THE CAUSE OF HIV/AIDS ORPHANS, ALBINA DU BOISROUVRAY

RECEIVES LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD

Chennai, November 9, 2003: In a glittering ceremony held at the Image Auditorium

this evening, Albina du Boisrouvray global advocate for AIDS orphans and

HIV/AIDS prevention received the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Department

of Experimental Medicine and AIDS Resource Center of the Dr. MGR Medical

University. The award was given to Albina du Boisrouvray by Dr C V

Bhirmanandham, Vice Chancellor, TN, Dr. MGR Medical University.

Speaking on the occasion Albina du Boisrouvray said, " I am honored to receive

this award and it is wonderful to note that work related to children and

HIV/AIDS is getting more attention. We do have a long way to go to lessen the

misery caused by this disease, but the response it is now receiving from around

the world is gratifying. In India, FXB India is only Non-Governmental

Organization that has its presence in all 35 States and Union Territories of

India. This is a great achievement and I hope our organisation continues to

sustain the momentum of their efforts. "

ALBINA DU BOISROUVRAY studied philosophy and psychology, University of Paris,

Sorbonne, and worked as an international freelance journalist. In 1970, she

founded Libre (Latin American revue). From 1969 - 1986, her film production

company produced 22 commercial films. Since 1980, she managed family real estate

and hotel properties as Chairperson of SEGH. In 1989, she established the

Association François - Xavier Bagnoud, Swiss-based international NGO of which

she is the president. She established François - Xavier Bagnoud Center for

Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health in 1992.

Previously she served as a Member of the Board of Médecins du Monde.

Time Magazine included Albina in a special April 2003 issue on " Heroes " as an

'Alchemist' who turned wealth into loving care for the 100 million AIDS orphans

and vulnerable children expected in this decade.

MISSION OF AFXB: The mission of AFXB is to fight the AIDS pandemic and to

support the world's orphans and vulnerable children in the wake of this scourge

by advocating for their needs and by providing direct support to families and

communities that care for them. AFXB leads 87 programs in 17 countries around

the world including Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia - AFXB is currently in all of

the 35 States and Territories of the India with over 147 projects countrywide.

These " field " activities coupled with vocal interventions, written advocacy

statements, and at times loud denunciations of accepted but faulty wisdom bridge

the divide between those working in the field and decision makers who determine

policy and funding. Endeavors such as these change people's lives on a large

scale, sometimes by changing what may be small and unspectacular things, and

AFXB is committed to saving lives on a large scale.