Highlands Hope representatives Betty Liduke from Tanwat Company Hospital and Jackson Mbogela from the PIUMA HIV Care Centre have just completed a week of meetings with representatives of Montreal partner organizations.

Liduke and Mbogela attended AIDS 2006 in Toronto and then traveled to Montreal for discussions with McGill University's School of Nursing and Faculty of Medicine, agreeing to work closely together to develop research, training and exchange opportunities.

At a reception held by Dr. Arthur Porter, CEO of the McGill University Medical Centre (home to Canada's biggest university-affiliated medical research institute), Porter expressed his hope that the partnership between McGill and Highlands Hope will grow.

"Our relationship with Highlands Hope is a demonstration of the kind of difference that an institution like ours can make in the world," said Dr. Porter.

The Highlands Hope delegates were honored by the presence of the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Canada, O. Sefue, who congratulated Highlands Hope for its accomplishments to date.

"Your community-based support and involvement of the grass-roots in all aspects of your work is what we need to win this battle," said Mr. Sefue. "Former President Mkapa declared war on HIV in Tanzania and and a partnership like this one between Highlands Hope and McGill University is showing us the way to beat this enemy."

Highlands Hope also met with a range of community activists, educators, church leaders and journalists as part of its Montreal visit.

August 25, 2006.