The photo was taken while Cindy was on ONE’s recent bipartisan trip to Rwanda in July. It includes Senators Frist & Daschle and Democratic strategist John Podesta and was taken while the group was touring the Masaka clinic outside of Kigali, where they talked with doctors, nurses, health officials, and patients about HIV/AIDS treatment in Rwanda.

I was hoping to grab a screen shot of the image straight from the video, but the video doesn’t seem to be online yet. I’ll place the image here when it’s available.

(As I said previously, I didn’t have a tripod of any kind, so if shaky camera movement gives you a headache, you may just want to listen to the footage for now until we have the professional video done and up in the next few days.)

First, Gov. Huckabee talks about ONE:

Next, Gov. Huckabee introduces this clip, a video made especially for the RNCC about Senator Frist, Michael Gerson and Gov. Huckabee in Rwanda:

And then back to the governor:

Yesterday, John McCain was campaigning in Sparks Nevada and as always ONE was there to great him.

On the rope line as Senator McCain entered the town hall he spotted my ONE shirt and pointed it out to his wife. Having just returned from Rwanda with ONE it was a familiar sight. I was able to thank Cindy for traveling with ONE and asked her how the trip went. “Amazing,” she said, “it was fantastic.”

Well it must have stayed on her mind. Prior to introducing her husband, Cindy spoke to the packed high school auditorium about the ONE Campaign and her “incredible journey through Rwanda.” She went on to offer her support for the efforts by ONE to make fighting extreme poverty and disease a foreign policy priority during this election season, and for the many organizations on the ground in Africa “offering hope to mothers and children through selfless aid work and service.”

Mrs. McCain went on to comment about the strength of African families and noted that the key to fighting these dreaded diseases will be to empower African women and mothers.

-Matt Higginson

I think our delegation returned from Rwanda inspired by what can be achieved and encouraged by America’s role in supporting that country’s groundbreaking efforts. We were fortunate to have such a diverse and distinguished group together for such a concentrated period of time – a rare thing these days. The group chemistry was great and we generated a number of valuable discussions.

Here are a few of the important ideas I think our delegation took away from their experience in Rwanda:

First and foremost, we were able to witness firsthand the remarkable resilience of the African spirit and the unwavering commitment to creating a better future. Here in the U.S., we are accustomed to reading about African failures-famine, conflict and, yes, genocide. But Rwanda is a clear example of how African countries are rebuilding and moving forward aggressively and progressively. We saw how central women have been to this rebuilding process, from governing and reviving the economy to reconciling and healing the nation. This leadership and commitment is translating into dramatic progress in the fight against poverty and disease.

Second, we saw that partnership with the United States and other donors is critical to realizing Rwanda’s vision for a healthy, well-educated and prosperous country. This is true across Africa, where American partnership and support has helped catalyze and consolidate gains in poverty reduction.

Third, we came away mindful that the sustainability of our investments in the region depends on the strength of Africa’s underlying delivery systems. These systems include a need for reliable, low cost energy and infrastructure, as well as human resource capacity, faster growth of exportable goods and increased regional trade. I believe this underscored the importance of long-term U.S. investments in areas like infrastructure and education.

Fourth, and in a similar vein, we heard repeatedly about the importance of achieving more efficiency in the delivery of U.S. assistance. U.S. programs are often implemented in a way that works around host governments rather than through them. But in the case of well-governed countries like Rwanda, we were told the U.S. should consider providing more flexible financing, including experimenting with direct budget support. Providing such support, in conjunction with stringent transparency and accountability measures, would ensure that more aid is used for its intended purpose. It would also have the benefit of strengthening the government’s ability to manage and coordinate donor investments.

And lastly, while Rwanda is truly an exceptional country, it’s important to remember that Rwanda is certainly not the only success story in the region. Africa is a continent on the move and what we saw in Rwanda is being replicated elsewhere in places like Ghana, Liberia and Tanzania. Our challenge is to help replicate these successes everywhere.

These are just some of the impressions I want to leave you with. Thanks for following along.

-David Lane

Another video and post from ONE’s Tom Gavin from last week’s trip to Rwanda.

Monday, July 21:

The U.S. launched PEPFAR – the American global AIDS strategy – at the Masaka Clinic in 2004, so it made for a good place for the ONE delegation to visit and assess how things are going. Our delegation met with doctors, nurses, local officials, and patients seeking treatment and counsel from the clinic’s staff. We heard, time and again, the difference that America’s partnership in health care was making in Rwanda and throughout Africa.

The DATA Report, which ONE released earlier this year, shows the progress being made. It points out that, across Africa, nearly 2.12 million people were on antiretroviral therapy by last December, a huge jump from the 50,000 people on treatment in 2002. That means 30 percent of Africans in need of treatment are receiving it. But there remains a major challenge ahead. An additional 1.7 million Africans became infected with the HIV virus in 2007.

After touring the Masaka Clinic, some of the ONE delegation discussed the site visit and the overall trip with reporters.

-Tom Gavin

This one is of our CEO David Lane talking to journalists about the ONE Campaign and why it’s so important that we listens to Africans so that we can become more effective advocates.

“We don’t pretend to speak for Africans. We can’t. It would be inappropriate for us to. Which is why listening to Africans is extremely important, and that’s the purpose of our visit this time…”

“Here’s the thing I want to say in Rwanda, just about this trip in particular. Much has been said about President Kagame. I met with him myself in November when I was here and he’s a very impressive man. What I think has our entire delegation dazzled is the quality of leadership at the working level. From the nurses at this hospital to the leaders of this hospital to the ministers and the mayors. It’s not an overstatement to say that we are dazzled by the quality of leadership.

And that’s one of our messages as well: it’s not appropriate to impose. We may think we have the answers in the United States, but an important part of our advocacy is to say that we want to support African leadership that’s working.”

Some excerpts:

“It is a humbling experience to be in the presence of those who have such a capacity for forgiveness and care. It is also instructive. If wealthy nations want their assistance programs to be effective, they should look to the women who form the backbone of every society. With some education, training, basic rights and empowerment, women will transform a society — and the world.”

“Women today make up a disproportionate percentage of the Rwandan population. In the aftermath of the genocide, they had to head households bereft of fathers. They had to take over farms, and take jobs previously done by men. But there were opportunities, too: Today, 41% of Rwandan businesses are owned by women…Rwanda today has the world’s highest percentage of female legislators.”

“Perhaps it is fitting that a nation so wracked by death could give birth to a vibrant new age. I know that one thing is clear: Through their bold and courageous actions, these women should inspire not only their fellow Africans, but all individuals — men and women — across the globe.”

Read Cindy’s full op-ed here.

Senator Bill Frist, MD:

“We’re at a specialty-coffee-washing station in Rwanda, Kigali,- just outside of Kigali, Rwanda. Why is it important? It is because of economic development. In a country that is mainly plagued by poverty, what you see behind me, the employment of over 200 women, women who double their income by working at this specialty-coffee-washing station will now have that opportunity to put their kids in school, to put a roof over their head, to empower their family to earn an income in the future that indeed can capture their dreams and translate their hopes and dreams into a reality.”

John Podesta:

“Rwanda has a “Rwanda 2020 Plan” to try to really make sure that growth is widespread and that it affects everyone. And you saw a real spirit of entrepreneurship here today. We saw women sorting coffee earning about 50% more than they were earning in their livelihood. Before that we saw a young Rwanda entrepreneur who had built that coffee-washing station. The focus in on specialty coffee. Rwanda has always produced a lot of coffee, but now they’re producing for the high-end, and that’s a team effort, but just there’s just a lot of spirit and optimism about the capacity to get this country really moving again. And get the kids in school. Get the people working. And get some income into people’s pockets.

“Our visit wrapped up with a long meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. He talked about his development plan, called Vision 2020, that would result in strong steps forward in education, health, and business growth. At the end, many of our delegation members talked with Rwandan journalists about their meeting and the trip overall. – Tom Gavin”

In the clip:

Democratic strategist John Podesta calls Rwanda’s progress “very, very impressive,” citing the number of people now on ARVs (AIDS treatments), their success in bringing Rwandan citizens into the healthcare system, and the country’s remarkable reduction in child mortality rates.

And Republican strategist Jack Oliver tells the journalist: “We’ve been extraordinarily impressed by the people of Rwanda…[We're] just encouraged, excited and ready to be advocates on behalf of Rwanda.

Senator Frist is sending in daily posts from ONE’s recent trip to Rwanda. Below is the post he wrote about Sunday.

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST-CATHEDRAL

The drive to Saint John the Baptist-Cathedral in Ruhengeri is about two hours. It is a windy, but beautiful, road. Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, and this journey explains why. The hills are green, and the trees are even a darker green, separated by roughly plowed hillsides; every inch of land is used. It’s lush. The worn, dusty brown walking paths switch back like big “Z’s” painted on the sides of steep, steep hills, climbing to the sky. Every mile seems more picturesque than the previous.

Bishop John gave the service. He recognized all of the visitors and preached about self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and service. He is an icon, not just here, but around the world. He has followers throughout the United States that adhere to his more traditional Anglican message. He probably has a church in your area. He is close friends with President Kagame. Our delegation loved the singing, the play put on by the young children on the Book of Job, and the sermon which seemed to be directed right at us. Bishop John came to dinner later that night with us as well. He is a holy man. And of his many abilities, the most unique is his uncanny gift to identify from the pulpit men and women who he thinks, that if give the opportunity, could significantly help Rwanda’s future. The people he has introduced to Rwanda and gotten to know well is impressive. Think Joe Ritchie and Rick Warren.

When he came back to Rwanda from Uganda in 1997 (remember that the genocide was just 3 years earlier), he came home to 400,000 orphans. At the church Bishop John established Sonrise School for orphans, with money mainly from the U.S. He published a book, The Bishop of Rwanda just last year; it’s a great read. If the Bishop meets people at his church who are wiling to invest in Rwanda, he calls his good friend President Kagame, and the three have lunch together and another new business comes to town or a new water project is undertaken. The Bishop serves not only the soul of Rwanda, but he is also the eyes and ears for economic development to lift the people out of poverty.

TOURISM

In the afternoon we traveled to the new, up-scale Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge to meet with the leaders of the tourism industry of Rwanda. The lodge itself is owned by a Rwandese community trust that focuses on not only the growing tourism sector but also on land and water conservation and socioeconomic development, The U.S. government has contributed $40,000 to construct the lodge and another $159,000 to the surrounding community. Why? Because this has become a centerpiece that is attracting tourists who spend money, and this development is becoming a source of employment and education for the entire region. Tourism is the cornerstone of development.

Rosette Rugamba is an old friend who hosted Karyn and me on our last trip to Rwanda; she oversees tourism in Rwanda. She is articulate and friendly and represents Rwanda with grace and charm and infectious enthusiasm.

The story of tourism is remarkable. It started with a vision and a strategy. A Tourism program in Rwanda did not begin until 2003. President Kagame declared that tourism would be the national industry of Rwanda. It would focus on the country’s most unique and precious natural resource: the primates, specifically the gorillas, the mountain gorillas, in the Virunga Mountains. In 1999, the first paid trip to see the gorillas took place, and in that year, there were a total of twenty tourists recorded to see the gorillas. Apparently a New York Times reporter happened to be one of the first to go on a gorilla trek and after his story, the single tour operator was flooded with requests for information. But there were no lodges or hotels to house the visitors. In 2004 the first lodge was built so people could stay near the gorilla launching point – the now famed Gorilla’s Nest. What was missing was the basic infrastructure to support the dream. Now, gorilla trekking is a huge industry, costing $500 per person for a trek and a one hour visit with the gorillas. Unfortunately, there is still a dearth of lodges.

A Dubai investment company announced just last month that it is investing huge amounts into upgrading the gorilla facilities and local lodges. It will bring world class facilities to the Virunga Mountains, Kibu and Akagera Park where Karyn and I once were with the President for a strategy planning retreat with his cabinet. The gorilla tourism caters to a high-end market, and this new investment will accelerate the growth.

By giving monetary value to the gorillas, all sorts of conservation occur. The park is now policed to stop the rampant poaching that, just until recently, characterized the region. No longer is bush meat harvested for the international black markets. The land is protected. The community benefits with economic growth. The gorilla permits generated about $7 million this year. In 2000 only 3,700 tourist totals visited Rwanda; by 2008, over 39,000 visited generating over $42 million (2007).

If you want to come see the primates, I recommend the tour company operated by John Kayihura or Joseph Birori. They are both top notch and have been at it since 1999. Both are friends.

MOUNTAIN GORILLLA VETERINARY PROJECT

People ask why I ever began this relationship with gorillas, both in the states and in Rwanda.

Since we didn’t have time to take a full day out for a trek to see the gorillas, we opted instead to visit the orphanage for gorillas at Kinigi, near Ruhengeri, which currently cares for four mountain gorilla and six Grauers gorillas. We went over to visit the orphan gorillas with the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, on whose board I serve. I started taking care of the gorillas (lowland) at the National Zoo in the late 1990s and early 2000s in Washington. Lucy Spelman, the former director of the National Zoo, is in the states this week so we missed her, but we received an excellent briefing from a student veterinarian who introduced Cindy McCain , John Podesta, Judy Black, and John and Karen Kasich to 9 orphan gorillas. All the gorillas in the zoos are lowland gorillas; they are not the upland or mountain gorillas in the mountains in Rwanda and Congo. My work at the National Zoo began because of my surgical expertise in the heart. The transplants I do in humans are for cardiomyopathy; gorillas also can develop cardiomyopathy and suffer from premature death.

The mountain gorillas were popularized by the 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist,” a story about the life of Dian Fossey, an American zoologist who dedicated her life to the protection and study of mountain gorillas, She began in 1967 and continued until her murder in 1985 at her research station in the Virunga Mountains. Then there were 250 gorillas (up from 250); today there are 750. Of the 750, about half are visited by tourists and the other half are kept totally separate with no visits by humans. This natural, “controlled” trial comparing the two groups will likely someday help us better understand the impact of human interaction with the primates (and the impact of such eco-tourism).

OneHealth is a new discipline that combines the health interests of animals, humans, and the land. I have been a strong advocate for this emerging field because of my initial experience with anthrax back in 2001. The biological organism which causes this disease, relatively common in the veterinary world of animals, was used to terrorize the nation, close down the offices for more than 50 senators for months, and kill innocent postal workers. Avian flu comes from birds, and HIV from animals. For naturally occurring and emerging new diseases, an understanding of the interaction between animal and human disease is imperative. The gorilla and the human have 98% the same genes! That is where my interest comes from.

DINNER: TRADE AND INVESTMENT

We loaded up our bus to go to the Bourbon Coffee shop/restaurant.owned by Arthur Karuletwa. The restaurant is built around coffee, and even though Rwandans don’t typically drink coffee, he has been able to capture the equivalent wave of Starbucks and he is doing fantastically.

It was my task to be “Oprah Winfrey” for the meeting, as the entire purpose was to hear from all the Rwandese what is working and what more is needed to make the “pie” of the economy grow larger (growing a respectable 7% since 1996). As I darted around the large table of 25 speakers, I posed follow-up questions of my own to make sure each person reflected their thoughts. We learned the particular success of specialty coffee: production, high-end tourism, construction services and food processing. We heard that President Kagame had emphasized the importance of a strong banking and financing community. Exports include coffee, tea, tin and coltan (tantalum). Imports are consumer goods, machinery and petroleum products.

In 1998 while on the Foreign Relations committee in the Senate, I was chairman of the African subcommittee. We worked hard on AGOA (The African Growth and Opportunity Act) which opened access to the U.S. markets. Using this Act, over $4 million in tungstem jewelry, baskets, apparel and semiprecious stones were exported. Key trading partners include China, Germany, and the United States; exports totaled more than $167 million. American Joe Richie is a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee, and he has both a formal and an informal network of friends focus on Rwanda, heart and soul. He is a generous man, and he has an even more caring daughter who joins him and his wife in Rwanda.

Dr Vincent Karega, state minster in charge of investment and export promotion, was our kickoff speaker/discussant. Bishop John Rucyahana of the Shyira District (serves 2 million and is the largest) is peripherally active in the banking community and as I said earlier doesn’t hesitate to teach economic prosperity from the pulpit.

My friend Michael Porter, who spoke at my development course I taught at Princeton last year, joined us. He was in town for the Presidential Advisory Committee, and he spoke to us about the comparative competitive strategy underway; he too has a daughter at Princeton, who is a favorite of mine.

So at the end of the day, our heads were swirling on these economic and growth issues. What is apparent is that there is a willingness and real interest in making the economic pie bigger with the hopes of combating poverty. To do this as a country, you begin with your strengths and build upon them. The Rwandan strengths at present are the tourism industry with gorillas as a focus and the coffee industry. Both are helping grow the economic pie to lift people out of poverty.

Off to bed. It was a full day. Some pretty remarkable stories.

-Sen. Bill Frist, MD