American Red Cross and Beverly School Partner on International HIV Education Program

Worcester, MA, April 21, 2008 - The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts and the Beverly School of Kenya have partnered to bring education and hope to poor and orphaned children of Africa.

The Beverly School of Kenya, founded by Aggrey Abdi Lidonde, a native of Kenya and long time Massachusetts resident, is a brand new residential school currently under construction in North Kinangop, Kenya. Its mission is to give hope to the economically disadvantaged children of Kenya, particularly the children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic who will call the Beverly School their home. With over 12 million orphans in Africa and in excess of 900,000 in Kenya alone, the Beverly School feels compelled to have at least 50% of their student population to be orphans.

"The social, economic and moral reasons to respond to this tragedy due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic are overwhelming", says Alice Mudiri, Head of School. "We at Beverly School believe partnership is central and critical for us to ensure that we establish and manage the school to propel it into the next century and beyond. In partnership with the Red Cross of Central Massachusetts we hope to share best practices in the area of HIV/AIDS education and training, exchange staff and faculty for experiential encounters and build the bridges of friendship, culture for universal peace."

The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts has been providing HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout central Massachusetts for many years and is honored to have the opportunity to expand the training internationally by partnering with the Beverly School.

"The Beverly School of Kenya is a wonderful opportunity for our local Red Cross to expand our humanitarian efforts in the areas of HIV/AIDS education and beyond," stated Susan Swanberg, Director of Youth Programs and HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator for the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts. "The new partnership is consistent with the Red Cross fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality. With a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity, Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention education will provide a valuable tool toward the mission of the Beverly School."

Representatives from both organizations meet on a regular basis to develop plans and curriculums for the school, which is slated to open in the summer of 2008. In addition, local school based Red Cross Youth Clubs here in central Massachusetts have already begun efforts to collect much needed school supplies for the new school.

For more information on the Beverly School Project, please contact Sue Swanberg at 508-595-3710.

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