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Mission statement

Teachers Without Borders respects the extraordinary work of AIDS educators, doctors, and government agencies in Uganda. One oftheir particular strengths is the A-B-C approach (A: abstinence; B: be faithful; C: condoms) , but only when incorporated into a comprehensive program - at all levels ofsociety - of support for stemming the tide of HIV-AIDS. We understand some of the inconsistencies in the educational program, but see them more asproblems of execution, correct context, follow-through, and support, i.e. the delivery of the message. We support the inherent value ofabstinence, being faithful, and using condoms.

The key, however, in terms of the education community, is the incorporation of A-B-C principles into other programs supportingyoung people's self-esteem and integrity, civil rights, the protection of girls and support for their general education, and a growing set of circlesof capacity in each community - in health, in sanitation, in the quality of life, in economic opportunity, and in political freedoms and rights.

Furthermore, Teachers Without Borders' own research has led us to the conclusion that testing must be pervasive and frequent and confidential . Many AIDS analysts assert that testing must be required "at three specificmoments in a person's life: at marriage, before childbirth, and upon any visit to a hospital. At these moments (and, we hope, others), public healthcriteria legitimately take priority over the desire of the individual." ( New York Times , February 10, 2004: "A Global Battle's Missing Weapon."). Clearly, Teachers Without Borders promotesthe right to privacy and the freedom of the individual. However, in light of the AIDS pandemic, some sacrifices need to be made.

Once again, testing must be pervasive - testing across age, economic, geographic, and social strata of societly. Testing must be frequent - even faithful, monogamous couples can be H.I.V. "discordant" in which one of the partners in the marriage wasinfected and the other, not, by a previous partner. The virus incubates for approximately eight years. Finally, testing must be confidential.

We view HIV-AIDS as a societal, as well as medical epidemic, and so work to promote education on HIV-AIDS, along with anenhanced general education. We also support international agencies and local NGOs in their attempts to improve the infrastructure of informationsharing, medical facilities for treatment and other viable and quantifiable programs on prevention including those programs that mayadvocate condom distribution.

Teachers Without Borders works to close the education divide and to respect the hearts and minds of all. HIV-positive people must NOT be stigmatized. We welcome the ranks of HIV-positive persons into the ranks of our organization and dependupon them - as we do everyone of good intention - to work on behalf of education.

It is our policy to work with all sectors in the battle against HIV-AIDS, provided their work does not conflict with empiricalevidence on both treatment and prevention best practices. Furthermore, we shall not work with agencies who stigmatize HIV-infected and affectedpeople.

There is a window of hope available to us, through education. In fact, a fascinating article, A Window of Hope, describes thesituation we are in today:

Window of Hope

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