Press Releases

December 7, 2007. Lusaka 

U.S. Government to Award New Zambian Partner $4 Million
to Fight HIV/AIDS

LUSAKA, Zambia – The U.S. Government today announced that it is finalizing a three-year, $4 million award to Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Program (CHAMP) under the New Partner Initiative (NPI) for HIV/AIDS prevention and care.  The funds will enable the not-for-profit CHAMP to strengthen community-based HIV/AIDS services to Zambians, and provide hope for stronger and healthier families.  On World AIDS Day 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush announced the second round of three-year NPI grants of up to $36 million to 14 organizations across nine countries. CHAMP is the only Zambian organization in the second round to be considered for the competitive grant.  Twenty-three organizations from around the world were awarded grants during the first round a year ago.

NPI grants seek to expand the reach and impact of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in areas where faith-and community-based organizations, in particular, have a strong presence and influence over people.  The unique collaboration with grass-root organizations such as CHAMP enables local ownership and long-term sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs.  Since its inception in 2002, CHAMP has been working with U.S. Government project partners to implement various innovative HIV/AIDS workplace programs that have demonstrated measurable results in enhancing the lives of employees and the people in outreach communities.  CHAMP’s clients include some of the largest companies in Zambia, such as Konkola Copper Mines, Mopani Copper Mines, Dunavant Zambia, and Zambia Sugar.  With the new award, CHAMP will receive direct funding from PEPFAR to continue programs in far-flung rural communities.

Ms. Susan Adams, director of the New Partner Initiative, and Mr. Michael Costigan, director of the Center for Faith-and Community-Based Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), traveled to Zambia from Washington, D.C., to make the official announcement of the grant at the American Center here.  The award reflects CHAMP’s success, competence, and leadership in saving lives, transforming communities, and restoring hope to a nation. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the largest global health initiative directed at a single disease that any nation has ever undertaken.  Since 2004, the U.S. Government has provided Zambia with more than $556 million to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information about PEPFAR, please visit http://www.pepfar.gov.