Kids with HIV Auction marks huge success
A high profile fund-raising charity auction organized on Saturday night by Dubai World, secured an impressive amount to finance various projects in support of HIV-affected children in South Africa.
Reflecting Dubai World’s commitment to the welfare of the communities it operates in, the group collaborated with the Kids with HIV Foundation, based in Cape Town in organsing the exclusive Auction.
High profile guests, including His Excellency Ibrahim Rasool, former Premier of Western Cape Province and currently Advisor to the President of South Africa, attended the gala event along with corporate leaders, government officials, diplomats, other VIPs, art lovers and philanthropists.
The first ever international charity auction of its kind held in Dubai, saw an array of unique items going under the hammer and a tough competition between guests to own the exquisite items, most of which were specifically crafted for the event.
An exclusive oil on canvas portrait and a framed bronze relief of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, both specifically produced for the event, as well as a portrait of Nelson Mandela, were among the most sought after.
Through hosting the event, Dubai World, one of the biggest holding companies in the world, aimed to bring the attention of the society to the urgent need for greater response to the suffering of HIV-affected children.
Mr. Farid Mohammed Ahmed, Dubai World Secretary General, thanked the guests for helping raise funds of such an amazing proportion. “Dubai World is proud to join hands with Kids with HIV Foundation through this historic event. Operating in different countries across the globe, among different communities and being close to them, we know first-hand what some of these communities face in life. Dubai World has always reached out to their problems and supported efforts to help alleviate them.
I congratulate Kids with HIV Foundation and Dr Lesley Szabo, its Chief Executive Officer, for the noble mission. The money we raised is obviously considerable. We have created history and made the organisation’s task a lot easier,” Mr. Farid said.
Mr. Rasool lauded the effort of Kids with HIV Foundation and Dubai World to raise the much-needed fund for aid works. “HIV has been threatening our society on an alarming scale and the most tragic part is that little children are falling prey to this dreadful disease. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the worst affected region in the world with 24.5 million people living there with HIV. This is 64 per cent of HIV-affected people in the world. Almost 90 per cent of children with HIV in the world live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The government cannot single handedly address the issue. Private business, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and donor funding are key elements in implementing the government’s five-year National Strategic Aids Plan. This plan aims to halve the rate of new HIV infections in the country by 2011 and provide care and treatment to at least 80 per cent of HIV/victims and their families,” Mr. Rasool stressed.
Dr. Lesley Szabo, CEO of Kids with HIV Foundation said the money raised will be of immense support for the foundation’s projects.
“The money we raised here is intended to support many of our field projects in South Africa including the Philani Group of Nutrition Centres in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. We aim to set up a custom-designed pediatric centre, which will support hundreds of thousands of children in the coming years. The Foundation will also build educational facilities, including a crèche, a primary school and play area in Northern KwaZulu Natal. We will also make donation to the Desmond Tutu HIV/AIDS Foundation to help its research work in the area of Pediatric HIV,” Dr. Szabo said
Among the highlights of the evening was Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Patron in Chief of Kids with HIV Foundation, giving his message through a video presentation. The humanitarian activist lauded the concern showed by Dubai and Dubai World to help a noble cause and wished the event all success.
Another highlight was the fashion show of signature couture gowns by renowned fashion icon Jenni Button.
The Kids with HIV Foundation is a registered Cape-Town based charitable organisation founded in 1999 with the sole objective of raising funds with which to support babies, infants and children affected as a result of HIV/AIDS Through the funds raised, the Foundation aims to assist and support its patient base by providing services for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and education in this field.
The Foundation’s primary focus is within informal settlement areas but it also reaches out to rural communities. It currently supports approximately 42,000 babies/infants who have been exposed to the virus through a variety of circumstances.
Mr. Farid Mohammed Ahmed, Secretary General, Dubai World, His Excellency Ibrahim Rasool, former Premier of Western Cape Province and currently Advisor to the President of South Africa and other guests at the event.
