VSO statement: David Cairns MP (1966-2011)
10/05/2011 15:30:00
VSO is deeply saddened by the news of the untimely death of David Cairns MP, former VSO Parliamentarian volunteer in Kenya (2010) and chair of the All Party Parliamentary group on AIDS.
VSO UK Director, Brian Rockliffe, said:
“During his time in Kenya with us, David made a great impact on VSO staff and our partners. His approach to his placement, as in his approach to all his work, was one of commitment and dedication. He wouldn’t settle for a job being half done and it was testament to his commitment that he returned to Kenya at the beginning of this year to carry on the work he started last summer.”
“He brought unparalleled enthusiasm to his work on the APPG on AIDS and he really managed to bring people together, no matter what party or perspective they were coming from. His friendships across the House spoke volumes about his ability to rise above party politics when he knew that the job at hand, like his work on the APPG, was too important to be jeapordised by party divisions.”
“Our thoughts are with his partner and his family at this time.”
In memory of David and to mark the difference he made as a VSO parliamentarian volunteer, please find below David’s first-hand account of his time in Kenya.
"Aminah is almost seventy yet stately in her yellow and green traditional African robe and headdress. She is an elder in her church in Kenya, and like most of her peers she is a mother and grandmother however, unlike most of them, she is HIV positive".
"Frustrated at a lack of role models she took the brave step of speaking out publicly. The following day her son was fired from the job he had held for seven years. The employer knew that the son was not HIV positive, but sacked him anyway because of the shame that the mother’s confession had brought to the firm. This sort of thing happens daily".
"Despite this, it is important to hold onto the fact that Kenya has come a long way. I saw some of this progress first-hand while participating in VSO’s Parliamentarian Volunteer Scheme and hosted by a network of community groups comprised of people living with HIV/AIDS. A few years ago there were 200,000 new cases per year; that number has dropped to 70,000".
"But challenges remain. Mother-to-child-transmission of the virus has been virtually eliminated in the developed world, yet in Africa half a million babies are born HIV positive or contract it in the first year through breast-feeding".
"Anti-gay legislation is another obstacle, which is both a human-rights affront and a public health disaster. Why would a gay person who may be HIV positive seek help only to run the risk of discrimination or imprisonment? I put this to Kenyan government ministers and was rewarded with a glacial silence".
"The coalition should be praised for ring-fencing aid spending, but the government also needs to maintain the global leadership position through its continued support for the Global Fund. Not to would give others the excuse to reduce their own contributions. If this happens the fight against HIV and AIDS will get a whole lot harder".
