The political will to beat back poverty
The Ames Tribune
March 18, 2008
President Bush recently returned from his trip to Africa, a continent Americans know faces tremendous challenges and heartbreak. Malaria and AIDS still claim thousands of lives daily. Millions of children still lack access to basic needs like clean water and food.
But Africa, for all its challenges and tragedies, holds unprecedented hope and opportunity. Thanks to new policy approaches and 21st century technologies, we now have proven, effective solutions to many problems that used to seem unsolvable.
For example, today, America's AIDS initiative is providing nearly 1.4 million people with life-sustaining medications. In the fight against malaria, America has provided 2.3 million bed nets that are protecting Africans from deadly mosquitoes. And today, never before have these solutions been so affordable: AIDS drugs now cost as little as $1 a day. A mosquito net that costs $5 can protect a child from malaria for five years.
I believe American leadership to end suffering, create hope and bring about peace to the people and nations of Africa is about much more than a presidential legacy. It's about our legacy as a people and a country.
Today, we have the technologies and resources to beat back extreme poverty. Now we need the political will.
Nora Tobin
2002 Oak Fosmark
Iowa State University
Ames
