On Saturday, June 23, thousands of people converged on Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square for Dignitas International's Race for Dignity Challenge, raising over $285,000 for HIV/AIDS programming in Africa.
The 12-hour spinathon on stationary bikes featured 30 teams comprising over 220 cyclists, as well as 12 hours of live onstage entertainment, including over 20 international and Juno Award-winning musical acts. Special guests throughout the day included MP Peggy Nash, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Toronto City Councillor Kyle Rae, MP Olivia Chow, Ontario Minister of Health George Smitherman, Canadian television personality Mag Ruffman, Race for Dignity Founder and Ironman triathlete Scott Simpson, and Dignitas Co-Founder and Executive Director James Fraser.
"The Race for Dignity Challenge was a huge success - the energy and
enthusiasm of everyone involved was incredibly inspiring," said Fraser. "This
event provided an opportunity for Canadians to have a direct impact on the
lives of people affected by AIDS in Africa. The funds raised will go towards
programs that increase access to essential medical care and life-saving
medications in the Zomba District of Malawi. Access to treatment in Malawi
equals hope - and a future - for the thousands of people living with HIV."
Presented this year by BMO Financial Group, the Race for Dignity
Challenge has established itself as a growing grassroots event with support
from corporate sponsors, private funders, public officials, celebrities,
students, activists, artists, medical professionals and private sector actors.
Dignitas thanks the corporate sponsors, spinners, donors, volunteers and
entertainers who contributed to the event.
Dignitas International is a medical humanitarian organization working
with communities to dramatically increase access to life-saving treatment and
prevention in areas overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS. Founded by a group of
international health and research experts, Dignitas is led by Dr. James
Orbinski, who accepted the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize as International President
of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders). Dignitas is saving
lives in Malawi, Africa, with sustainable, community-based HIV/AIDS
programming to be replicated throughout the developing world.
For further information: Kathe Rogers, Communications Coordinator, (416)
260-3100 x 113, or k.rogers@dignitasinternational.org
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Malawian Opposition Denies It Plans to Impeach President Mutharika
Malawi’s opposition parties are reportedly planning to impeach President Bingu Wa Mutharika. Sources say Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) are waiting for the speaker of the national assembly to enforce a recent court ruling that gave the speaker a mandate to declare vacant seats of parliamentarians who have crossed over to join other political parties. But the UDF has dismissed the reports, saying opposition parties have used their numerical strength responsibly in the national assembly.
Sam Mpasu is the spokesman for the main opposition UDF. From the commercial capital Blantyre, he tells VOA English to Africa reporter Peter Clottey that the UDF is not interested in impeaching President Mutharika.
“The question of section 65, as far as we are concerned, is a constitutional issue. It is not against any political party. And it is the president himself who made the referral to the constitutional court and subsequently to the Supreme Court. Neither the MCP nor the UDF nor any other political [party] was directly involved. So far as we are concerned it’s a constitutional issue in the hands of the speaker. It’s not a question of opposition taking advantage of it or not taking advantage of it,” Mpasu said.
He said the ruling People’s Democratic Party (DPP) is responsible for the ensuing political tension after the Supreme Court ruling giving the speaker of the national assembly the mandate to declare vacant seats of parliamentarians who have crossed over to join other political parties.
“The DPP is panicking and they want to turn this (ruling) into a political issue as if it is the government against the opposition or vice versa,” he noted.
Mpasu said the opposition parties are not interested in impeaching President Mutharika because their focus is on looking forward to the debate on the government’s budget.
“As far as the opposition is concerned this (parliament) is a budget session. It was opened by the same president a few weeks ago; it was interrupted because of the death of the first lady and is due to resume on the 29th. And as far as we are concerned, it’s a budget session,” he pointed out.
He accused President Mutharika of always finding fault with the opposition whenever things do not go his way.
“The president has always made a big issue over the budget in order to castigate the opposition. The truth of the matter is that since he came to power in 2004, his party has never had the majority, and yet every year the budget has been passed by the opposition. And he is always making a big song to create the impression that the opposition is trying to sabotage the economy of the country. But in fact every budget has been passed,” he said.
Mpasu said President Mutharika has the tendency to make parliament do his bidding.
“What he is trying to do is to make parliament a rubber stamp, not raise questions on the budget, and that we refuse. We scrutinize the budget, ask questions, get answers and then passed it. But he is always making a song to say no, no, no … come and beat them up and so forth. It’s not true. We are very responsible opposition parties we care about the country, and we pass the budget on merit. But we are not going to be rushed in to rubber stamping something we don’t approve off,” Mpasu noted.
He reiterated the opposition parties have used their numerical strength in the national assembly responsibly.
“He’s (president Mutharika) always cried wolf all the time. The truth of the matter is that we are in the majority in parliament, but we have used that majority responsibly,” he said.
Sam Mpasu is the spokesman for the main opposition UDF. From the commercial capital Blantyre, he tells VOA English to Africa reporter Peter Clottey that the UDF is not interested in impeaching President Mutharika.
“The question of section 65, as far as we are concerned, is a constitutional issue. It is not against any political party. And it is the president himself who made the referral to the constitutional court and subsequently to the Supreme Court. Neither the MCP nor the UDF nor any other political [party] was directly involved. So far as we are concerned it’s a constitutional issue in the hands of the speaker. It’s not a question of opposition taking advantage of it or not taking advantage of it,” Mpasu said.
He said the ruling People’s Democratic Party (DPP) is responsible for the ensuing political tension after the Supreme Court ruling giving the speaker of the national assembly the mandate to declare vacant seats of parliamentarians who have crossed over to join other political parties.
“The DPP is panicking and they want to turn this (ruling) into a political issue as if it is the government against the opposition or vice versa,” he noted.
Mpasu said the opposition parties are not interested in impeaching President Mutharika because their focus is on looking forward to the debate on the government’s budget.
“As far as the opposition is concerned this (parliament) is a budget session. It was opened by the same president a few weeks ago; it was interrupted because of the death of the first lady and is due to resume on the 29th. And as far as we are concerned, it’s a budget session,” he pointed out.
He accused President Mutharika of always finding fault with the opposition whenever things do not go his way.
“The president has always made a big issue over the budget in order to castigate the opposition. The truth of the matter is that since he came to power in 2004, his party has never had the majority, and yet every year the budget has been passed by the opposition. And he is always making a big song to create the impression that the opposition is trying to sabotage the economy of the country. But in fact every budget has been passed,” he said.
Mpasu said President Mutharika has the tendency to make parliament do his bidding.
“What he is trying to do is to make parliament a rubber stamp, not raise questions on the budget, and that we refuse. We scrutinize the budget, ask questions, get answers and then passed it. But he is always making a song to say no, no, no … come and beat them up and so forth. It’s not true. We are very responsible opposition parties we care about the country, and we pass the budget on merit. But we are not going to be rushed in to rubber stamping something we don’t approve off,” Mpasu noted.
He reiterated the opposition parties have used their numerical strength in the national assembly responsibly.
“He’s (president Mutharika) always cried wolf all the time. The truth of the matter is that we are in the majority in parliament, but we have used that majority responsibly,” he said.
The fashion and textiles student
Leaving her family in Malawi was a tough choice for Rose Kaleke
I left Malawi in 2005. I wanted to study fashion and textiles, but there were no suitable courses in my country. It was hard to leave my family. I have a husband and three children aged 23, 21 and 16. I haven't seen them for two years.
When I left Malawi, my husband was working. Then he lost his job and had to sell some of our property to pay my course fees. I work part time, 20 hours a week in a care home. This just about covers my rent, bills, food and weekly travel card.
I rent a room in a flat in Edgware, in north London. It can be lonely, coming home to one room every night when you're used to living in a house with your family.
The culture is different here, but everyone is friendly. I'm the oldest in my class at college. Most of the students are young girls, but I mix easily. They tell me I am brave. They tell me they could never do what I am doing. I tell them that you have to make sacrifices to achieve what you want out of life.
Next year, I'm hoping to go to Bournemouth University, so I can make my qualification up to a degree. I'd like to go home during the summer break, but a flight will cost at least £500. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford it.
When I decided to do this course, I was running a shop, selling ready-made clothes. People in Malawi like to buy clothes that are made to measure, or can be altered to fit them. The skills I learn on this course will help me make a better business at home. When you have your own business, you help reduce poverty, which is a big problem in Malawi. When I reopen my shop, I'd like to employ people with disabilities. They have so much to offer but are often overlooked for work.
· Rose Kaleke is studying for an HND in fashion and textiles at Barnet College
I left Malawi in 2005. I wanted to study fashion and textiles, but there were no suitable courses in my country. It was hard to leave my family. I have a husband and three children aged 23, 21 and 16. I haven't seen them for two years.
When I left Malawi, my husband was working. Then he lost his job and had to sell some of our property to pay my course fees. I work part time, 20 hours a week in a care home. This just about covers my rent, bills, food and weekly travel card.
I rent a room in a flat in Edgware, in north London. It can be lonely, coming home to one room every night when you're used to living in a house with your family.
The culture is different here, but everyone is friendly. I'm the oldest in my class at college. Most of the students are young girls, but I mix easily. They tell me I am brave. They tell me they could never do what I am doing. I tell them that you have to make sacrifices to achieve what you want out of life.
Next year, I'm hoping to go to Bournemouth University, so I can make my qualification up to a degree. I'd like to go home during the summer break, but a flight will cost at least £500. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford it.
When I decided to do this course, I was running a shop, selling ready-made clothes. People in Malawi like to buy clothes that are made to measure, or can be altered to fit them. The skills I learn on this course will help me make a better business at home. When you have your own business, you help reduce poverty, which is a big problem in Malawi. When I reopen my shop, I'd like to employ people with disabilities. They have so much to offer but are often overlooked for work.
· Rose Kaleke is studying for an HND in fashion and textiles at Barnet College
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