Thousands living longer through (PRODUCT)^RED
and Global Fund Support

Listen to the Interview in English or French Windows Media - 1.5 MB

Read the transcript in English or French

She sold her car and piece of land, but even that could not support her family and buy enough medicine for Rose Rwabasinga, a widow living with HIV in Kigali. “It was a catastrophe! I had nothing left to sell,” remembers the mother of three, “If the free drugs had come just a little later, I could certainly have died”. In January 2004, the government of Rwanda, with support from the Global Fund and the (PRODUCT)^RED initiative, began availing free antiretroviral drugs to people living with AIDS. This initiative transfers parts of profits from the sale of certain brands of cell phones, clothes, shoes and credit cards, among others, to support AIDS treatment programmes in selected countries.

"I had nothing left to sell and was too weak to work. I was ready to commit suicide… If I ever meet some of the people buying these RED products, I will tell them just how thankful I am"

Now Rose is among over 12000 HIV+ Rwandans who benefit from lifesaving medicines procured with Global Fund and (PRODUCT)^REDsupport. “I’m now able to work, and am planning to enroll for a university degree” she reveals gleefully. Listen to her story.