Lusaka, Zambia - Ambassadors for Peace welcomed a visiting delegation from United Kingdom, Scotland, Japan, Sweden, and Uganda to the Peace Embassy on October 22 to share insights the work of Ambassadors for Peace in various parts of the world.
Mr. Aftiknaiz Ahmedi, Chairman of UPF-Scotland, urged the people in the audience to unite despite different backgrounds, creeds, races, and gender, for the sake of drawing closer to God. He described his work in bringing together Muslims, Christians, and Hindus to build “One family under God." He emphasized the need to respect and love one another as brothers and sisters despite religious differences and urged Ambassadors for Peace to work together to build up UPF-Zambia.
The Director of the International Relief Friendship Foundation-Uganda, Mr. Robert Mwogesa, described the WAIT program in Uganda. WAIT stands for World AIDS International Teens. It is a proactive peer education project whose aim is to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people. It teaches people to wait for the right partner before engaging in sexual activity and encourages parents to sensitize the young people on matters related to HIV/AIDS and support them in assimilating they learn from the WAIT program.
Dr. Ashley Crosthwaite, director of the International Relief Friendship Foundation and WAIT in the UK, showed a video clip of WAIT program activities in Uganda. He explained that in Africa, WAIT began in Uganda in 1997. It uses the arts and exciting entertainment to attract the interest and involvement of youth. As they discover and develop their talents, they are encouraged to abstain from sexual activity until they meet the right partner and make a joint commitment to build an ideal family and work for a peaceful family, society, and nation.
Mr. Tadeo Buyinza, Coordinator of WAIT in Uganda, talked about growing up in Uganda without parents. When WAIT was introduced in his country, he took on a key role in encouraging other young people to abstain from sexual relations and wait for the right partner.
Rev. Robert Williamson, who worked in Zambia from 1975 to 1990, promised to return with more international Ambassadors for Peace and work together with local Ambassadors for Peace for the sake of peace.
Zambian Ambassador for Peace Hon. Boyd Hamusonde thanked the visitors for introducing WAIT in Africa and urged them to expand to Zambia.
For photos of IRFF projects supported by the UK in Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa, click here.