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.

Brian Bunch

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. 

Malinda Wheeler
CEO
HOPE worldwide Kenya

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!

Kimberly Arnold

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!

Jean Bunch
Hauger-Bunch, Realtors
Co-owner

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.

Carl M. Good II, Ph.D.
Retired

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!

Paul A. Netzel
Past RI Director, 2007-09
Past Chairman, RI Executive Cmte, 2008-09
Board Member, Rotarians for Fighting AIDS 

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. 

PDG. J Barry Smith 
Executive Secretary RFFA

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.

James Curran
M.D., M.P.H.
Dean of Rollins School of Public Health at Emory
and Co-Director of Emory Center for AIDS Research

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

Greetings from Australia
John Glassford
RFFA Director Projects
Rotary Club of Coolamon

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.

Anne Glenn
Director of Marketing, RFFA