UVSC Graduating Senior’s AIDS Awareness Declaration Signed by Gov. Huntsman

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. declared April 2006 as AIDS Awareness Month on behalf of UVSC student and Bira, Uganda native David Ssejinja’s non-profit organization, the Ssejinja Children’s Foundation. In his declaration, Gov. Huntsman urged Utah citizens to reach out to the children in Uganda that Ssejinja’s foundation supports.

“Whereas, every day will result in more than 8,000 AIDS-related deaths in Africa and another 14,000 people infected, we urge a call to action from all citizens to extend a rendering hand to those in need of an improved quality of life,” he said.

Ssejinja, a senior at UVSC graduating in political science this April, said the governor’s support is just what the Foundation needed to increase awareness in Utah.

“Because of the escalating death rate of those inflicted with AIDS, we decided to ask Utahns for their help,” Ssejinja said. “We are fighting a deadly enemy that we cannot see. Every donation goes a long way to provide education and welfare necessities for the children.”

Ssejinja organized the Foundation prior to enrolling at UVSC in 2002 after losing both parents to civil unrest in Uganda. Ssejinja said his goal is to bring back hope to Uganda’s AIDS/HIV inflicted and war-torn children, who he considers his brothers and sisters. Currently, the Foundation is accepting donations to build a children’s AIDS clinic in Uganda, put a roof on the community hall they just constructed and buy a tractor for the school.

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Megan Laurie
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Written by:
Kim Jones
(801) 863-7011