USAID Participates in White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conferences in Rwanda ...( WASHINGTON April 1 2008 -- The U...),Health

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) highlights the success of the President's Malaria Initiative and of the Agency's community partnerships in Africa as part of two White House conferences in Rwanda and Zambia this week. Admiral Timothy Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator, and Terri Hasdorff, USAID Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, join Jay Hein, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and Rick Warren, Pastor of California's Saddleback Church, in Africa.

ADM Ziemer is focusing on the successes, best practices, and continued efforts of those who are implementing the President's Malaria Initiative and helping to save lives across Africa. The Admiral is also visiting rural health clinics, bed net distribution centers, and villages where bed nets have been installed in people's homes.

The White House conferences and the additional site visits by ADM Ziemer are particularly timely on the malaria front, given that the United States will mark the second annual Malaria Awareness Day on April 25, along with those in Africa who will be observing Africa Malaria Day. Through these events, ADM Ziemer hopes to educate people about this highly treatable and preventable disease and to highlight opportunities for organizations and citizens to get involved in the ongoing humanitarian efforts to save the lives of those suffering from and in danger of contracting malaria in Africa.

Terri Hasdorff is facilitating a conversation on "Growing Enterprise through Collaboration," in Rwanda. This workshop will highlight successful USAID partnerships that have resulted in tremendous growth for Rwandan small businesses. In Zambia, she meets with the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) New Partner Initiative grantees, as well as with other key indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are on the forefront of meeting
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