Cyclists Ride Against AIDS in Southern Africa

For Immediate Release August 29, 2002


World Vision cycling event provides AIDS education, helping hand to African communities

QUELIMANE, Mozambique – As many as 1,000 cyclists kicked off the second annual World Vision AIDS Cycle Relay yesterday with a rally and ride through the northern Mozambique city of Quelimane.

An estimated 8,000 spectators attended the relay’s opening ceremonies and hundreds more crowded the streets to watch the riders, about 30 of whom will cycle through eight southern African countries. Along their route, they will give educational presentations about the spread of HIV/AIDS, a disease that already has infected 10 to 30 percent of the people in the region, most of them between the ages of 15 and 49. The presentations involve music and drama designed to appeal to children between the ages of 5 and 15.

“The message is that AIDS prevention is cool, not just a list of do’s and don’ts,” said World Vision’s Brian Peterson, who flew from Orlando, Florida to participate in the ride.

“The event really engaged young people who are critical in the fight against AIDS,” said Martha Newsome, World Vision’s national director in Mozambique. “The stadium for the opening ceremonies was filled with young people who clapped and shouted in agreement with the governor’s call for them to wait to have sex.”

The relay is designed not only to bring education to remote villages where people may not otherwise hear about AIDS, but also to bring awareness of the human side of AIDS. A woman and her 8-year-old daughter, both HIV-positive, are part of the relay team.

World Vision has been working with people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS since 1990. The riders will arrive in Blantyre, Malawi on Tuesday, September 3, 2002.

NOTE: Brian Peterson is available for interview by phone by calling the contacts listed below.