By Melissa Mazzeo | Resource Mobilization Officer
Momentum is building both for the conference and for the fundraising campaign. In April, we received a request from the AIDS 2014 conference organizers to change the format of the youths' presentation from a workshop to a "Meet the Experts" session -- an exciting development since it acknowledges the fact that, having lived with HIV for their entire lives, the youths are truly experts in the field. In May, we got the news that AIDS 2014 was giving us 5 registration scholarships and 1 flight waiver, bringing us closer to making this goal a reality.
We have continued to raise funds through a variety of methods. We have called upon our personal networks to contribute, who have done so generously. Baylor-Uganda staff members -- from both the headquarters in Kampala and in the other sites around the country -- have been extremely supportive. Many have given individually and many more have come together as departments to contribute as a team. We have also approached local businesses for support and many have contributed, including local supermarkets (Capital Shoppers) and Baylor-Uganda's vendors (Medical Access Uganda). We also received a great deal of support from Rotary Club of Kampala Central, one of Uganda's most active Rotary Club chapters. And the Baylor-Uganda board of directors generously matched donations up to $2,500. Thanks to all who have supported us so far!
Since the fundraising campaign started, we have raised nearly $8,000 to send the youths to AIDS 2014. To cover the costs of sending all 8 youths and 2 Baylor-Uganda staff members as chaperones, we still need to raise $21,599. To send 4 youths and the 2 staff members, we still need to raise $7,547. If you can, please consider contributing or sharing this campaign with your friends and family so as many youths as possible can attend!
For those who have already contributed, thank you once again for your generous support. We wouldn't have made it this far without you!
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