The US envoy explained that US $100.000(approximately P600 000) has been set aside to reach more places. Canavan said the wonderful thing about the project is that "it takes HIV testing to the people".
She asserted that the drive would also help President Festus Mogae in addressing the concerns he recently raised at the National AIDS Council that less than half of Botswana's population knew their HIV status. The American ambassador described knowing one's status as the pathway of living a healthy and fruitful life.
"I, therefore, urge you to join me in supporting this project and ensuring that we contribute to Botswana's national goal of an AIDS-free generation by 2016," she said.
She also challenged individuals to find ways of helping the campaign. "I believe you will agree with me that together we can achieve more. I know each and every one of you have resources that we can pool together to make a success of this campaign," she said. Canavan thanked Zebras players without whom the campaign would be futile.
For his part, Zebras' goalkeeper Kagiso Tshelametse said there was more that the players, as role models, needed to do than just asking people to test. He said for HIV/AIDS to be kicked out there is need to break the barriers between parents and children. Tshelametse said he was impressed by the people's response to the campaign, explaining that as a player he has had an opportunity to encourage others to test.
Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Phillip Makgalemele said they fully supported the campaign and assured the ambassador that they would always be willing to avail their players when the need arose. "We also hope to come up with more ideas to see how we can help in the campaign," he said.
The Zebras-For-Life test campaign started last year but was officially launched in February this year. Its initiative is to encourage people, especially men and out-of-school youth to test for HIV. It is a collaborative effort by several stakeholders, including the United States embassy, Tebelopele, Orange Botswana, BOTUSA, Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), BFA, NACA, Department of Sports and Recreation and Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport.
