Support & Events

Thoughts to Change the World
Investing in Africa: Aid and Trade

Foreign & Commonwealth Office
World AIDS Day - Thursday, 1st December

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‘Thoughts to Change the World’ at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 1st December, proved to be a memorable finale to our high profile Thought Leadership seminars of 2011, as well as a fitting way to mark the 23rd anniversary of World AIDS Day.

We have heard from our guests that they were inspired by the insights, stories and the music they heard in the magnificent surroundings of the Locarno Rooms.

The discussion and debate from the panel during the first half of the evening raised pertinent issues relating to Africa’s future, highlighting some of the many challenges and opportunities. After dinner we were able to demonstrate the work of One to One Children’s Fund as an important player in third sector efforts to develop sub-Saharan African healthcare systems.

The Panel was chaired by seasoned broadcaster Sue Macgregor, one of the most familiar voices of BBC Radio 4. Sue introduced the keynote speaker, the entrepreneur and brother of the former President, Moeletsi Mbeki. In his speech Mbeki challenged South Africa’s track record on transformation and proposed his way forward for the region.

The renowned author and journalist John Carlin (“Invictus”) spoke of witnessing first-hand how sport has changed the lives of HIV+ children across Africa and recounted his impressions of visiting and reporting on our projects in the Eastern Cape. Lastly, Shaffiq Essajee from the HIV Paediatrics and Family Care Department at WHO, spoke about the toll of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, the advances in technology that are changing the way the pandemic is fought and the impact One to One Children’s Fund is having through our innovative work.

Sue Macgregor then facilitated some pointed questions from the audience.

Guests were treated to the stunning voices of South African stars Njabulo Madlala and Lynelle Kenned, accompanied by James Baillieu. Our VIP guest, the actress Romola Garai (star of The Hour, Atonement), guided us through the evening with style and grace.

One to One Children’s Fund’s investment in Africa is to help children with HIV/AIDS to survive and thrive. There is no better example of this than Siphosethu Warrington, a 14 year old boy from the Eastern Cape, who lost his mother to AIDS and was infected at birth. We were delighted to be able to bring Siphosethu to London for the first time to attend the event and be a spokesperson for all the children infected and affected by HIV in South Africa and beyond.

Sipho became a child activist aged only 11, bravely deciding to share his HIV+ status to encourage young people to get tested, disclose their status and adhere to life saving Anti -Retroviral Treatment. ARVs have saved his life and the treatment allows him to enjoy a happy and healthy existence. Many guests were moved to tears when Sipho confidently stood up in front of the 160 guests and sang Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, with Njabulo and Lynelle as his backing singers!

Sipho is the captain of his local football team and whilst in London was given the opportunity to play football at north London boys’ school UCS, which is supporting the charity this term. As well as participating in a kick-around at break time, he also met his hero, South Africa’s captain Steven Pienaar and the rest of the ‘Spurs team at their training ground, before attending the weekend match against Bolton at White Hart Lane on Saturday, which Spurs won 3 nil!

Sipho and more than 700 children like him in the Eastern Cape are magnificently supported by the ART Support Programme Project Coordinator, nurse Nonkosi Ndalasi, who joined guests at the FCO.

Nonkosi Ndalasi shared her experiences and observations of what life is like on the ground, having been involved in the ART Support Programme since 2004. As a nurse, she brought essential experience and helped develop a successful outreach project – a holistic circle of comprehensive HIV prevention and care for the communities of the Eastern Cape. Nonkosi explained how her day to day work and the rest of the team’s, directly aims to prevent HIV infection of babies, to keep mothers living long and healthy lives and to ensure that all HIV positive babies and children are treated and can thrive with the care and support of their mothers and families. Nonkosi also developed and maintains a sustainable domestic agricultural programme to address the nutrition problems of HIV infected children. An HIV+ child needs 30% more nutritious food than a child without HIV.

After hearing from Sipho, Nonkosi and the Chairman David Altschuler, guests dug deep in their pockets and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters who donated more than £80,000 . This means we will now be able to provide comprehensive care for 220 HIV+ children and their families, just like we have with Sipho.

Special Thanks:

Investec

Romola Garai

Sue Macgregor and the panel

Beatrice Reed – Head of Event Committee

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