June 29, 2005
No. 30/05

United States Ambassador Visits SNNPR Visit highlights U.S. Support for Health Care, Education, Natural Resources

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – On June 29, The United States Government  in partnership with Ethiopian artists, launched a Music CD, entitled “We Shall Survive – a Music for Life Project,” to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.  Funding was provided by President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Joining U.S. Ambassador Aurelia E. Brazeal at the inauguration were Dr. Tadesse Wuhib, CDC Country Director  Mr. Yayeyirad Alamerew, the music CD’s Production Manager, and Mr. Abegassu Kibrework Shiota, Arranger and Keyboardist, together with the artists who participated in the production, representatives from the Government of Ethiopia, NGOs, and the U.S. Embassy.   

The CD consists of 14 songs sung  by some of the finest Ethiopian artists residing in both the United States and Ethiopia.  The CD was over one and a half years in the making.  The 39 artists including 21 vocalists who participated in this historic effort were : Abebe Birhane, Abebe Desalegn, Abegassu Shiota, Abenet Agonafir, Abonesh Adinew, Adanech Woldegebriel, Akuri Degefu, Aster Aweke, Bezawork Asfaw, Birhanu Tezera, Dagmawi Tilahun, Daniel Vessby, Dawit Frew, Dawit Melesse, Elias Melka, Elias Tebabel, Fasil Wuhib, Fikeraddis Nekatebeb, Girum Mezmur, Henok Abebe, Henok Mehari, Johnny Raga, HHHHKassahun Eshetu, Mulatu Astatke, Mulugeta Abate, Nebiy Mekonen, Neway Debebe, Samson Juffar, Seyoum Mamo, Tadele Roba, Tadesse Alemu, Tadesse Wuhib (Dr.), Teshager Shiferaw, Tewodros Mekonen, Tewodros Tadesse, Tigist Fantahun, Tsedenia Gebremarkos,  Yared Tefera, and Yayehyirad Alamerew.

 The lyrics, scientifically pre-tested among various focus groups including youth and people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, encourage the listener: 

 - to delay initiation of sexual debut; to remain faithful to one partner;
 - to use condoms consistently and correctly;
 - to give value to one’s life;
 - to care for children as they are the future generation;
 - to get tested for the sake of self, family, children, and companion;
 - to avoid stigmatizing and  discriminating against people infected with, or affected by HIV/AIDS;
 - to support people living with HIV/AIDS and their families;
 - to live positively if HIV-infected;
 - to understand AIDS as everyone’s problem;
 - to join and win the battle against AIDS; and
 - to honor those heroes fighting the disease. 

 Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Brazeal encouraged Ethiopians everywhere to protect themselves and their families from HIV/AIDS and to spread the multiple messages in the CD’s  by sharing it with their families, friends and colleagues.

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