April 14, 2010

Kenyan HIV/AIDS program manager to speak at DWU

Florence Murugu

MITCHELL — Florence Murugu, program manager for project H.O.P.E. in Meru, Kenya, will speak at Dakota Wesleyan University during chapel service at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 15.

The Gift of HOPE (Helping Orphans by Providing Essentials) program provides life’s essentials to Kenyan children in six main areas: health (including HIV/AIDS treatments), shelter, nutrition, education, safety and personal support.

Murugu will discuss how the global HIV and AIDS pandemic has orphaned more than 15 million children, including the 1,300 AIDS orphans in Meru, which her organization has identified by name, age and gender. Her presentation will put a face on the millions of innocent HIV/AIDS victims worldwide who suffer in silence.All are welcome to come hear first-hand how the The Gift of HOPE program provides African children with life and hope.

The Rev. Dr. Donald Messer, executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS and former president of Dakota Wesleyan University and Iliff School of Theology, will also be on hand to discuss the program’s success.

Murugu will also be on campus the following day, Friday, April 16, to work with students majoring in human services and public service. Murugu’s presentation and campus visit are sponsored by the McGovern Center and the Center for the Church and Global AIDS. For additional information contact Donald Simmons at the McGovern Center at dosimmon@dwu.edu.