TSH1.6BN RAISED IN GEITA GOLD MINING KILI CHALLENGE

Rais Mstaafu, Dk. Jakaya Kikwete (katikati) na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa TACAIDS, Dk. Leonard Maboko (kushoto kwake) wakimkabidhi hundi ya Sh milioni 100 Mwenyekiti wa Mfuko wa Udhamini wa kudhibiti UKIMWI -ATF, Caroline Mdundo (wa tatu kushoto) zilizotolewa na Kampuni ya GGML kupitia Kampeni ya GGM Kili Challenge. Wengine wanaoshuhudia kushoto ni Makamu Rais wa AngloGold Ashanti - GGML anayeshughulikia miradi endelevu Ghana na Tanzania, Simon Shayo na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa GGML, Terry Strong. Hafla ya uzinduzi wa harambee ya kampeni hiyo imefanyika jijini Dar es salaam.

Naibu Waziri, Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu (Sera, Bunge na Uratibu), Ummy Hamis Nderiananga (kulia) akimkabidhi zawadi maalumu Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete kwa kutambua mchango wake muhimu katika kampeni ya GGML Kili Challenge ambayo ilianzishwa na Kampuni ya GGML mwaka 2002 kwa kushirikiana na TACAIDS kwa lengo la kutokomeza VVU/ UKIMWI.

On Thursday 18 May, a total of $700,000 (about Sh 1.6 billion) was raised at the launch gala in Dar es Salaam to support the government's efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The campaign is called the GGML Kili Challenge and is coordinated by Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) in collaboration with the Tanzania AIDS Control Commission (TACAIDS).

This year, the campaign, which involves climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, starts on 14th July and is scheduled to end on 20th July. The goal is to raise 2.3 billion shillings.

Sh1.6 billion was raised at the launch gala led by former President Jakaya Kikwete on Thursday.

Speaking during the fundraising event held in Dar es Salaam on 18th May 2023, His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete commended GGML and TACAIDS for collaborating on such a campaign which supports the government fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

"Keep up promoting the GGM Kili Challenge through various ambassadors and celebrities to raise its profile around the world," he said.

Mr Kikwete said the government alone cannot eradicate HIV/AIDS and needs the support of the private sector to ensure that there were no more deaths caused by the disease by 2030 as per the targets.

"We have come a long way in the fight against HIV and AIDS and have managed to reduce the number of annual HIV-related deaths from 72,000 in 2016 to 54,000 in 2021," he said, calling on people to join the effort.

"The problem is still big. The most important thing is that the money raised through the GGM Kili Challenge reaches the intended beneficiaries," he said.

GGML Executive Director Terry Strong thanked the government for supporting the campaign, which has now become an international fund.

According to him, the GGML has received support that has enabled it to involve climbers and cyclists from about 20 countries on different continents.

The volunteers are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to encourage donations from the public which will go towards the HIV and AIDs response fund.

Simon Shayo, AngloGold Ashanti's Vice President of Sustainabilty in Ghana and Tanzania, AngloGold Ashanti said various groups have benefited from the campaign, including the establishment of an orphanage called Moyo wa Huruma in Geita, which also cares for other vulnerable children.

The first group of children who grew up at the centre are now studying at university, including two who are studying medical subjects.

He said the campaign has also enabled the establishment of HIV awareness centres in high-risk areas such as Manyoni and Segera, where lorry drivers also benefit from the awareness programmes.

"Whatever you donate or have donated today will help achieve three zeros, which means no infections, no stigma and no deaths from HIV," he said.

Executive Director of TACAIDS, Dr Leonard Maboko, said the money collected is always disbursed to private institutions engaged in the fight against HIV.

He gave an example from the 2019/2020 financial year where 550 million shillings was distributed to 20 organisations, including eight led by people living with HIV.

According to him, the fight against HIV needs more support from locals, especially at this time when foreign donations are declining.

During the event, GGML donated $500,0000.