For the Association AMMIE, access to ITC opens some promising perspectives in the struggle against HIV/AIDS

The date of Nov. 16, 2005 will be remembered as a turning point in the history of the AMMIE Association, an NGO based in Burkina Faso. On this day, the Association’s President, Cécile Beloum, surrounded by her team, was able to broadcast live her association to the Heads of State attending the DSF special session at the WSIS in Tunis. It was the first time the satellite network connection installed by the DSF was used. Cécile Beloum doesn’t try to hide her satisfaction after the success of this experience. «It worked like a dream», she said.

«We had the opportunity to present ourselves at the highest level possible, thereby raising interest in our activities. What’s more, we had the Commissioner of the Province present, the highest local authority, who can then act as interlocutor with the authorities in the capital.»

The President of AMMIE is very enthusiastic about the potential of this new accessibility to the network: «We can exchange information and collaborate from a distance with our local and international partners. We can also receive long distance instructions and education and develop our financial capacities by creating revenue-generating activities» AMMIE is part of a group of other six associations in Burkina Faso. Thanks to this technology, Cécile Beloum can already plan video- conferences once the other countries are connected. «Our ability to operate will be improved. We had telephone and Internet problems, finally these will be resolved.»

Based in Ouahigouya, fourth largest city of Burkina Faso situated 200 km from the capital city Ouagadougou, AMMIE’s objective is to contribute to the local population’s welfare. Its activities, spread out across 37 villages, concentrate on public health management, pharmacies and maternal clinics, training first aid workers, and actions in the struggle against HIV/AIDS (training, education, AIDS tests, treatment of infected persons and their families).

1 AMMIE : Appui Moral Matériel Intellectuel à l’Enfant