World Vision Caregiver Kit Build events at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are designed to help equip volunteers around the world who care for those impacted by AIDS.

August 25, 2008

As Americans tune into the Democratic National Convention this week, World Vision is leading events to raise the voice of orphans and vulnerable children impacted by AIDS, helping to ensure their needs are heard by key decision-makers.

Party delegates at both conventions have been invited to join World Vision and the ONE Campaign to take a hands-on, 'un-conventional' approach by participating in Caregiver Kit Build events. The goal: to show solidarity with people suffering from AIDS — and those who care for them — in a unique way.

Power in the hands of individuals

Participants will build more than 4,000 Caregiver Kits and promote the growing movement of Americans who are calling on the U.S. government to keep its promises for those affected by AIDS, malaria, and other preventable diseases.

The unique kits are instrumental in providing basic supplies often too expensive — and sometimes not even available for sale — to those living in impoverished areas. The items include antibacterial soap, antifungal cream, disposable latex gloves, cotton balls, petroleum jelly, washcloths, and more. Kits assembled at these events will be shipped to vulnerable communities in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

"This Caregiver Kit Build is a perfect fit for [the conventions], because it demonstrates the power in the individual's hands to effect change and improve lives," said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S. "We're grateful to the ONE Campaign for their partnership and to the delegates for their participation."

A collaborative effort

World Vision, which coordinates bulk purchase of kit supplies through its partnership with McKesson Corporation, the world's leading health-care company, ships the kits to 20 AIDS-affected countries after they are assembled by groups of volunteers.

"We're all in this together. Ending extreme poverty and preventable global disease requires all of us to come together and do what we can to change the world," explained former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., who co-chairs ONE's presidential campaign initiative, ONE Vote '08. "That can mean uniting our voices as one to call for change, or rolling up our sleeves as one to help those in need."

Daschle, scheduled to speak at the Democratic convention Wednesday night, will make an appearance at this week's Caregiver Kit building event, as will former American Idol star and artist Chris Daughtry, and World Vision's Princess Zulu.

Influencing policy

Due to the advocacy efforts of World Vision, the ONE Campaign, and others, both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain have made commitments to policies that will empower people struggling as a result of extreme poverty and disease to lift themselves up and gain access to the care they need.

Obama has committed to doubling U.S. foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012. He would build on proven, successful foreign policy programs, such as America's global AIDS strategy, to which he has pledged a strong commitment.

McCain has pledged to eradicate malaria. He also has spoken at length about America's role in combating global AIDS and the benefits of such U.S. initiatives as the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Since its start in 2006, the Caregiver Kit program has been a critical component of World Vision's campaign against global AIDS. To date, volunteers from churches, businesses, and other groups across the United States have assembled more than 143,000 kits.

"Working together at the political conventions, we can help to show more people what their individual efforts can do to save lives around the world," said David Lane, president of the ONE Campaign. "Whether through advocacy or on-the-ground action, Americans can bring hope and opportunity to people in developing nations around the world."