Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service ) – Music to fight Aids. This is the aim of “Album 46664” a collection of funds for the fight against AIDS. “In the last twenty years – says Nelson Mandela – Africa has been struck by a tragedy of unheard of proportions. Today AIDS kills more people than war, famine natural calamities. It destroys our families, renders hospital work impossible, deprives schools of pupils and teachers. The economy suffers, and will suffer still more, losing workers, productivity and profit. One out of two young people in South Africa will die of AIDS. The economic growth of our country is undermined and the resources are all destined for the consequences of this epidemic”.
Former South African president Mandela recalls that to fight Aids it takes empathy and dialogue, the same ingredients which guaranteed South Africa transition from apartheid to democracy. A new black plague is striking Africa which has 70% of all the HIV positive people in the world.
(AP) (22/10/2003 Fides Service; lines:19 words:187)
